Epidemiologist Calls for Listening Only to Professional Opinions on Vaccination

The expert advises that discussions regarding coronavirus vaccinations should solely involve professional opinions and that the vaccination process should not be questioned at all.

Arman Badalyan, a senior lecturer at the Department of Epidemiology at Yerevan State Medical University, addressed the comments made by the chief infectious disease specialist in the USA regarding the AstraZeneca vaccine. The chief infectious disease specialist hinted at a possible intention to withdraw from the AstraZeneca vaccine.

“Currently, trials are underway in the USA, and I would like to remind that just days ago, the USA announced that the Sputnik vaccine has high efficacy; however, they will not use this vaccine in their country, as they already have agreements with other brand-name vaccines that currently meet their demand. Therefore, I propose not to fall for media provocations, to listen to and discuss only professional opinions, and generally not to question the vaccination process,” Arman Badalyan was quoted by Armenpress.

A shipment of 24,000 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine has been imported into the Republic of Armenia through the COVAX FACILITY initiative. This batch is intended for high-risk groups, particularly healthcare workers, individuals aged 65 and older, chronic patients aged 16-64, residents and staff of elderly care facilities, and employees of social care centers for vaccination against COVID-19.

The Ministry of Health of the Republic of Armenia reminds that vaccinations in the Republic of Armenia are carried out exclusively on a voluntary basis.