Armenia May Enter 'Green' Zone: What Impact Does 'Sputnik V' Have

More than 20,000 citizens have been vaccinated in the Republic of Armenia, but the acting Minister of Health Anahit Avanesyan considers this number to be low. She expressed her opinion today during a working visit to Shirak Province while answering journalists' questions.

“The figure is not satisfactory, but the trend is undoubtedly positive. We see that the number of vaccinations performed daily is greater than those done previously. A large number of those vaccinated are from at-risk groups,” the acting minister said.

According to her, there is much work directed towards awareness. Alongside vaccination, the population's vigilance has weakened in some respects. “Fatigue is noticeable, but unfortunately, the infection doesn’t tire and doesn’t care about our fatigue. Yes, we had a decrease in numbers in the autumn, but we have recorded a rise again. In the autumn, the only means of fighting was masks; now, the most preventive, safe, and effective measure is vaccination,” she emphasized.

Avanesyan stated that no severe or unusual reactions have been reported among vaccinated individuals in Armenia, with only mild fever and slight muscle pain, which is considered normal.

The acting minister noted that the 'Sputnik V' vaccine is highly sought after in Armenia, and public attitudes towards 'AstraZeneca' have significantly changed as well. “There is also quite a positive attitude towards the Chinese vaccine. Work is underway regarding the possible import of 'Pfizer' and 'Moderna' vaccines,” she said.

The epidemic situation in the country is monitored through several indicators, primarily through the daily decrease in cases and the vaccination rate. “With a sufficient number of vaccinations, the population will be much more protected in case of further waves of the epidemic. Many countries have recorded a sharp decrease in cases because they have achieved a sufficient vaccination threshold. It is now being discussed to consider 'green' and 'red' zones in light of the vaccination process. If we complete this process, I hope that we will be in a constant 'green' zone for travelers coming to our country and for our citizens,” Avanesyan added.