Health Minister Venko Filipche signed Monday an agreement for the procurement of 200,000 COVID-19 vaccines from China.
The vaccines produced by China’s pharmaceutical company Sinopharm are expected to arrive this month.
The exact date of arrival and all details related to the delivery of vaccines are expected to be defined in the coming days, the Ministry of Health said.
Respecting the provisions of the agreement, and in accordance with the global policy of all vaccine companies, including Sinopharm, the information contained in this agreement remains confidential, the press release said, adding that the vaccines from China are set to arrive at Skopje Airport.
A detailed plan on transportation of shots from the airport to storage facilities, economic operators and Skopje-based Health Center has been drafted, in addition to plans for vaccine distribution to immunization offices and practical implementation of the process.
Last week, health authorities confirmed conditions for storing the entire batch of vaccines. Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccine should be kept at temperature of 2-8C and are delivered in preloaded syringes, thus facilitating application.
The Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective and will be provided for all citizens. Public health institutions will work in two shifts in order to achieve the highest possible vaccination rate on a daily basis.
According to the National COVID-19 Vaccination Plan, vaccines will first be administered to high-risk groups, which include health workers, especially those working at COVID units nationwide and citizens over the age of 70.
Vaccine manufacturers have been approved by their national agencies to be placed in market, and some manufacturers are additionally authorized by the European Medicines Agency and US Food and Drug Administration.
The introduction of COVID-19 vaccination will play a key role in reducing the harmful effects of COVID-19 pandemic on the health of the population and society in general, strengthening immunity.
A vaccine is a powerful weapon against the pandemic but nevertheless citizens must comply with the measures and protocols on protection against COVID-19, the Ministry of Health said.
