Uncertainty Remains on Vaccine Effectiveness: Pashinyan on Omicron Variant

The COVID-19 pandemic has seen some easing of conditions, but this does not imply safety as a new variant has been detected. Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan stated this at the beginning of a governmental meeting.

“The Omicron variant has not yet been detected in Armenia, but it remains unclear what impact this variant may have and how severely those infected will experience the disease. It is also uncertain how effective the vaccines will be against it, so we should not let our guard down until the situation concerning the new variant improves,” Pashinyan emphasized.

The Prime Minister also noted that there is already a tangible number regarding the vaccination process. The number of citizens who have received their second dose is approaching 500,000. According to him, apart from non-working days, more than 20,000 vaccinations are being administered daily.

The Minister of Health, Anahit Avanesyan, mentioned that even if there is a certain decrease in the effectiveness of the vaccines due to the emergence of the new variant, vaccinations remain the most effective and sole means of combating the disease in terms of severe illness and mortality. “Statistical data show that even with a slight reduction in vaccine effectiveness, they still save lives,” said Avanesyan.