The Only Solution to Return to Normal Life and Overcome COVID-19 is Vaccination, Says Minister of Health

A meeting-discussion with the participation of heads of polyclinic services in the capital was held at the Ministry of Health, chaired by Minister of Health Anahit Avanesyan.

Welcoming the attendees, the minister announced that the Republic of Armenia has acquired the AstraZeneca vaccine against COVID-19 through the 'COVAX FACILITY' initiative, with the first batch of 24,000 doses recently imported.

Anahit Avanesyan emphasized that the only solution to return to normal life and overcome the disease is vaccination.

The minister added that work continues in all possible directions to acquire COVID-19 vaccines, so that additional quantities and other vaccines can be imported as well.

The Ministry of Health informs that Gayané Sahakyan, Deputy Director of the National Center for Disease Control and Prevention and Head of the National Immunization Program, presented the recommendations of the World Health Organization (WHO) regarding the use of the AstraZeneca vaccine, existing scientific data on the vaccine's effectiveness and safety, as well as indications and contraindications. The specialist provided comprehensive answers to all questions regarding the topic.

Summarizing the discussion, the minister stressed the importance of vigilance, avoiding rumors, relying solely on professional opinions, following the facts, and guiding the population in the same spirit.

The ministry reminds that according to the WHO Global Advisory Committee on Vaccine Safety (GACVS) announcements of March 16 and 19, 2021, and the European Medicines Agency’s pharmacovigilance risk assessment committee’s announcement on March 18, the benefits of the AstraZeneca vaccine continue to outweigh the risks. The available data does not suggest that the vaccine increases the overall risk of blood thromboembolic events, deep vein thrombosis, or pulmonary embolism. The number of thromboembolic incidents reported after COVID-19 vaccination corresponds with the expected number in the general population. Such incidents can also develop as a result of COVID-19 infection.

Although very rare and unique cases of cerebral venous sinus thrombosis associated with thrombocytopenia have been reported in Europe after vaccination with AstraZeneca, it has not been confirmed that these were caused by the vaccination itself.