Vaccination Process Must Be Implemented in Armed Forces, Businesses Also Need to Be Involved: Nikol Pashinyan

We have a significant potential for vaccination against the coronavirus, but we are facing a problem that this potential is not being utilized appropriately, which poses risks not only to health but also to the economy. This was stated today, April 29, by Acting Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan during a government meeting.

“Because in the modern world, another important factor for the economy, concerning economic activity, is the percentage of the population vaccinated against the coronavirus in the country. Specifically, in the tourism sector, countries are also evaluated according to this criterion,” he said.

Health Minister Anahit Avanesyan noted that vaccines are currently available in Armenia, and all infrastructures have been established for citizens to get vaccinated easily. “The vaccine is accessible to every citizen over the age of 18. You can register at any polyclinic and receive the vaccine. Starting next week, there will also be mobile teams located in busy parts of the city, which will bring the vaccination opportunity closer to citizens. The risk of serious or mild side effects from the vaccine is almost zero when compared to the risks of contracting COVID-19 and the serious, unfortunately, fatal cases that may result,” the minister said.

The Acting Prime Minister urged government members to get vaccinated within the next week. He informed that Armenia currently possesses AstraZeneca and Sputnik V vaccines and is preparing to receive vaccines from China soon. He assured that if any vaccine poses a threat to citizens' lives, the government will not accept that vaccine.

The Prime Minister emphasized that, “the Deputy Prime Minister and the Minister of Health were vaccinated with AstraZeneca yesterday, and as you can see, they are sitting here, present, and nothing extraordinary has happened to them.” He noted that there is a lot of speculation surrounding AstraZeneca.

Nikol Pashinyan remarked that, unfortunately, movements against vaccinations have begun in Armenia, and it is unclear what their purpose is. “Currently, only 2,690 people have been vaccinated in Armenia, which is an embarrassingly low figure. Today, the number of vaccinated citizens worldwide is a sign of the quality of a country in all respects. By the way, very soon vaccination will be mandatory for any travel around the world. It is crucial to silence all those voices that are waging a campaign against vaccinations. Businesses must be engaged so that vaccinations are carried out at an appropriate level, and the vaccination process must also be implemented in the armed forces and generally in public institutions. We must prioritize this to show that we are all vaccinated and continue to remain alive,” emphasized Pashinyan.