Croatian Public Health Institute epidemiologist Iva Pem Novosel said for Dnevnik N1 that the start of vaccination of all age groups against coronavirus could be expected in early spring.
However, waiting for the vaccine depends on its delivery, said Iva Pem Novosel.
“I advise everyone to get vaccinated if they have the opportunity, not to wait. All vaccines, including AstraZeneca – if it has a slightly lower effect than the other two, work to protect severe forms of the infection and those that end in death. All vaccines protect against them. That is the most important thing we need to achieve,” says Iva Pem Novosel.
The effectiveness of the first dose is satisfactory, and protection is achieved after three weeks, she added.
“It’s hard for me to say when the vaccination will end; we know how many older people we have, but we don’t know how many will be vaccinated. However, the number of those who want to be vaccinated is growing every day. This is good both for the protection of the individual and for the protection of the community. This will bring us collective immunity faster,” said the epidemiologist.
People over the age of 65 are now vaccinated, followed by people with chronic diseases, as they are all members of the risk group who can get a severe form of the infection with complications. If the delivery dynamics are adequate, other citizens can be vaccinated in early spring, she said.
Will the EMA approve the Russian vaccine?
“This process may have already begun, so it will likely happen. I think we will get the next vaccines quickly, and we will be in a better situation and have a choice,” said Pem Novosel.
Serbia announced the possibility of producing Sputnik. Can something similar be expected in Croatia?
“It would be ideal if it could be implemented, so experts from Immunology should be asked about it,” she said.
She said she was sorry that some entrepreneurs were suffering when it comes to measures, but she also said that the epidemic was not even close to ending.
“We sympathize with them. However, we must remind them that the epidemic is not even close to the end, with all our positive and optimistic wishes. Vaccination is in the initial phase, we now have about two percent vaccinated in the population, and it is desirable to vaccinate 50 percent of the population,” said the epidemiologist.
She also said that it is possible that a new strain has crept in but that it is comforting that the numbers are satisfactory.
“But if we gave in a little and if there was a new strain, there would be problems again. Any opening, for example, gyms and cafe terraces, would still mean that certain measures should be adhered to. Measures should be respected everywhere and at every opportunity,” said Iva Pem Novosel.
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