Will Those Refusing Vaccination Be Dismissed from Work? Anahit Avanesyan Responds

After today's government meeting, Health Minister Anahit Avanesyan responded to journalists' questions regarding reports that school directors, teachers, and other institution employees are being forced to get vaccinated under the threat of dismissal.

“I cannot say what rumors refer to or what specific cases they concern, but we are indeed preparing and have already made certain changes in our legal acts so that individuals who do not get vaccinated present the results of PCR testing twice a month, because we are already seeing a steady increase in positive COVID cases,” she said.

In response to the question of whether this means citizens are indirectly being compelled to vaccinate, the minister stated that the coronavirus poses a serious challenge and is an invisible war, adding that today’s figures are concerning and a rise in positive cases is expected in the autumn.

Anahit Avanesyan emphasized that as a state, everything must be done to protect the citizens. “In this framework, we will resort to such restrictions because, in this case, besides the health of a specific individual, we face a serious public health challenge. Thus, if outlined within the law and legal acts, we will do everything to ensure that citizens get vaccinated, which is currently the most effective way to combat the coronavirus,” she added.

Responding to the question about individuals with medical conditions for whom vaccination is contraindicated, who work in any institution, she stated that such requirements will not be applied to persons with specific contraindications regarding vaccination.