Expected vaccines are nowhere to be seen, deaths from David-19 in Kosovo continue

The Ministry of Health has not answered Radio Free Europe questions about delays in securing new doses of vaccines against COVID19.

Long ago, the Ministry of Health declared that W NICEF, it had been revealed to them that 76 thousand and 800 more doses of vaccine can come through COVAX, divided into two contingents: one at the end of April and the other during May.

Also, this minister has said that 95 thousand doses of Pfizer vaccine from the European Union will be given to Kosovo in the May-August period.

Health experts, infection and opposition parties have called on the Government of Kosovo to act urgently, for bringing the vaccine against the Coronavirus, on the contrary, citizens are being endangered by the infections and deaths that are causing COVID-19.

Hannah Xhemajli, a specialist in researching global health policies, told Radio Free Europe, that Kosovo is at risk for the fact that it is the last state that has such small doses of vaccines and that the last one has not secured a contract for the vaccine purchase.

The risk we're taking is very difficult to measure, but the danger is between us, especially because the population isn't respecting the rules for preventing corruption, such as masks and physical distance, says Xhemajli.

In Kosovo, since presenting the first cases to COVID-19 in March 2020, and until April 29, 2021, 2,162 patients have died of coronary, while infected persons have recorded over 100,000 cases.

The vaccine in Kosovo has started at the end of March, but after managing 24 thousand doses of AstraZeneca vaccine, which Kosovo accepted as a donation through the World Health Organisation's COVAX programme, the vaccine has been suspended until the achievement of other doses.

Infectologist Ilir Tolaj tells Radio Free Europe that every day that is delayed inoculation is a potential risk of someone getting sick and dying.

At the time the vaccine was not detected, the only opportunity has been to apply measures to prevent infection from being transmitted and measures for treating the sick. At this time, when vaccines for months are available, not only a vaccine, but over nine types of vaccines at the global level, it is absurd that Kosovo has not yet provided vaccines”, Tolaj says.

Opposition criticises government for failing to ensure vaccine

Critical enough for the lack of new doses of vaccine against COVID-19, there are opposition parties in Kosovo.

Shemsedin Dresaj, from the opposition Alliance for the Future of Kosovo party, simultaneously a member of the Kosovo Parliamentary Commission, tells Radio Free Europe that authorities must establish contact with pharmaceutical companies in order to speed up the vaccine's arrival.

We're late. People's lives are being threatened every day in the absence of vaccines. The virus is in our environment and is circulated, despite having a decline in new cases, but deaths are happening”, Dreshai says.

Among those vaccinated with the first 24 thousand doses of the cornavirus vaccine are health workers, elderly people, and chronically ill.

According to the president of the Federation of Kosovo Health Unionists, Blerim Syla, with this dose of vaccine has been vaccinated by close to 5 thousand health workers, which, according to him, represents a very small number.

He says there was a reluctance of doctors to vaccinate with the AstraZeneca vaccine, which has given a very bad message to the population. For this hesitation, he says he is caused by the mismanagement and inadequate strategy of authorities.

He also says that a group of health professionals believe they will be vaccinated with Pfizer vaccine.

Every day we're late for the vaccine behavior and the vaccine, we're late to save a life. Twenty-four thousand doses administered is a drop of water in the ocean. We're getting late because unfortunately our politicians aren't consistent. The worst part is that nontransparance is taking over here. The virus and the disease are not divided into the ruling”, says Syla.

Otherwise, according to the state communication plan, by the end of the year, the Government of Kosovo plans to vaccinate up 70 percent of the population in Kosovo.