DUSHANBE, 24.08.2022 (NIAT Khovar) – Given the difficult situation with the COVID-19 in a number of neighboring countries, on August 16, the fourth phase of the campaign for vaccination against coronavirus among medical workers began in Tajikistan.

At this stage, 36,635 employees have already been vaccinated against the widespread COVID-19 disease.

According to the head of the Department of Sanitary and Epidemiological Safety, Emergencies and Emergency Medical Assistance of the Ministry of Health and Social Protection of the Population Navruz Jafarov, people over 60 years of age will be covered by the fourth phase of vaccination.

“People over 60 years of age who received their third dose of the vaccine three to six months ago may receive a fourth dose of the vaccine. According to the plan, citizens over 60 years of age and people with chronic non-communicable diseases will be covered by the fourth dose of the vaccine, following medical workers. This practice continues in other cities and districts of the country,” he said.

Since the start of the COVID-19 vaccination campaign as of August 19, 5,312,807 people (94.9 %) received the first dose, 5,221,534 people (93.3 %) received the second dose, and 4,927,758 people (88 %) received the third dose.

Per government initiative, 18,290,000 doses of vaccine against COVID-19 were brought to Tajikistan in order to cover the citizens with vaccination.

According to Jafarov, if during vaccination people become infected with an infectious disease or influenza, or they develop symptoms of these diseases, vaccination of such persons will be delayed until they recover.

A well-known American doctor of Iranian origin President of the Institute for International Health and Education in New York Dr. Arash Alaei said in an interview with Khovar that the fourth dose of the vaccine is recommended only for people over 50 or 60 years old.

He stated that each person should be covered by three doses of the vaccine. Vaccines protect up to 90% of people from contracting this virus, preventing death and severe consequences of the disease.

“Science has proven that all vaccines, including those against COVID-19, are effective and have very few side effects. Therefore, I strongly recommend the use of all available vaccines, and no one should avoid vaccination, except for those who are currently sick. Even a person who has had the disease in the past can be vaccinated. I am always asked the question: is it possible to vaccinate people with heart, diabetic, vascular or kidney diseases? Yes, they must be vaccinated. Because they have chronic diseases and must be vaccinated at the first stage. People who get the vaccine can get the new strain, but they’re very mild in the disease,” Alaei added.

According to him, this virus has been spread by new species since it was introduced. Scientists are trying to invent a vaccine that can fight all types of this virus. Time will tell when the fourth dose of the vaccine will be introduced to other sections of society.