First batch of AstraZeneca vaccines arrive in Armenia
YEREVAN, March 29. /ARKA/. The first batch of AstraZeneca vaccines against coronavirus infection (COVID-19) - 24 thousand doses- has arrived in Armenia, the Ministry of Health reported.
The batch was imported as part of the WHO's COVAX FACILITY initiative and will be used to vaccinate health workers, those who are 65 and older, chronic patients aged 16-64, residents and workers of care centers for the elderly, employees of social guardianship. The vaccination is not mandatory.
The ministry said that the AstraZeneca vaccines were approved by the WHO for emergency use. It can be used to vaccinate people 18 years of age and older. The efficacy and safety data for the imported batch meet the WHO criteria.
The Ministry of Health reminded that in Armenia vaccinations are exclusively voluntary.
Earlier some European countries refused to use AstraZeneca due to reports of the risk of blood clots in vaccinated. Experts from Norway and Germany independently concluded that the formation of blood clots in those vaccinated with the AstraZeneca COVID vaccine was caused by an autoimmune reaction.
The European Medicines Agency later confirmed the safety of the vaccine. In turn, the WHO said that the benefits of the drug outweigh the possible risks. To date, more than 3,450 have died from Covid -19 in Armenia. -0- ․
