When Will the Pfizer Vaccine Be Available? The Minister Clarifies

The Minister of Health of Armenia, Anahit Avanesyan, has once again addressed the most frequently asked questions from citizens on her Facebook page. "Every death is a painful loss for us, and the death of a young pregnant woman is simply devastating... With a heavy heart, I will continue to answer the raised questions," she wrote.

In response to the question, "When will the Pfizer vaccine be available?" the minister stated, "At this moment, we cannot specify an exact timeline, but efforts are underway to ensure availability. The vaccines currently available in Armenia meet all the necessary criteria for effectiveness and quality and address the issues we face – that is, preventing severe and extremely severe cases of the disease and deaths. There is no meaning, necessity, or time to wait."

To the question, "Is a person not free to choose the principle of 'get sick and live, whatever will be?'" the minister replied, "No, because we are dealing with a public threat, contagious disease. In this case, you are not only making decisions for your life and health but also for others, such as the deceased pregnant woman... I urge you: if you live isolated on a mountaintop with no contact with humanity, feel free not to get vaccinated, don't wear a mask, sneeze vigorously, get sick, and don't seek treatment. But if you do live in society, you cannot endanger the lives and health of others with your decisions."