North Macedonia’s medicine agency is set to finalize on Monday administrative processes regarding permits for the AstraZeneca vaccines that arrived recently, after which shots will be distributed nationwide and on Wednesday the immunization process will officially kick off, Minister of Health Venko FIlipche told a press conference on Monday.
He added that 20,000 citizens who have applied for immunization are older than 75 and will on Monday and Tuesday be assigned to vaccination posts in line with their place of residence, so they can get inoculated on Wednesday.
“Regarding mass immunization, preparations for setting up a large vaccination post at the ‘Boris Trajkovski’ sports arena will launch on Tuesday and should be completed by the end of the week. A total of 30 health workers will be administering shots there, once the Chinese vaccines are delivered,” Filipche said.
The Chinese Embassy, he added, is working on setting up the exact shipping date for vaccines, while Pfizer confirmed on Friday that it’s set to sign contracts over jabs with EU members this week.
“More vaccines are expected to be delivered in April, and after the inoculation of the priority group of citizens over 75, we’ll call on the rest of the population to get vaccinated,” Filipche noted.
He underlined that over the past week, and especially over the weekend, a significant number of COVID-19 patients were admitted for hospital treatment.
“In coordination with hospital directors, we have completely reshuffled capacities at surgical clinics and the Clinic for Pediatrics. At the moment, there are 100 hospital beds available at the Urology Clinic and additional ones at the Pediatrics Clinic,” the Minister briefed.
Starting Tuesday, COVID-19 patients will also be admitted for treatment at the Skopje-based Center for Rehabilitation, he noted, adding that 180 beds and oxygen supply will be made available there.
“The pressure is high in Kumanovo. Hospital capacities are being reshuffled there. In Kavadarci, the situation has calmed down, which gives us right to believe that the cycle lasts six to eight weeks, similar to the November wave. There are enough hospital capacities available in Veles, Tetovo and Gostivar to help take in patients from Kichevo. Ohrid and Struga-based hospitals are coordinating similarly. There’s still no need to set up modular hospitals in Prilep and Bitola, but they will be if there’s an influx of patients,” Filipche underlined.
Moreover, he called on citizens to abide by protective measures during this critical period.
“There are enough hospital beds available, so there’s no need to panic, but by respecting measures we help lower the virus transmission,” Health Minister Filipche told reporters.
Hospitals, he added, are scheduling less medical examinations for patients with non-coronavirus related issues because health workers have been assigned to additional hospital capacities made available for treating COVID-19 patients.
