DUSHANBE, 04.03.2021 (NIAT Khovar) – According to a survey by the Ministry of Health and Social Protection of the Population, over 80% of Tajiks wants to be vaccinated against COVID-19. This was reported by the Deputy Minister of Health and Social Protection of the Population Samariddin Alizoda.

“We asked the population whether they want to be vaccinated, the results showed that 81% of the population of Tajikistan want to be vaccinated,” Alizoda noted.

According to him, the AstraZeneca vaccine will be available in March or April. The issue of importing the Chinese vaccine will be studied by the working group, after which a final decision will be made.

He said that the effectiveness of the AstraZeneca is 63.1% and it is currently used in 55 countries.

“All documents have been prepared and submitted. Over 192,000 AstraZeneca vaccines will be imported soon. First 20% of the population will be vaccinated. At the initial stage, all medical workers will be vaccinated, followed by those over 60 years old and a group of vulnerable people with concomitant diseases such as diabetes, hepatitis,” Alizoda said.

According to the Deputy Minister of Health, vaccination will be voluntary and free of charge. Rooms for storing vaccines and special rooms for vaccination have already been installed in all polyclinics.

Alizoda noted that the medical staff has already been trained. Now the main task is to intensify explanatory work among the population.

“Vaccination takes one minute, and only 64% of the population will be vaccinated. It should be noted that the vaccine coming to Tajikistan is intended for people over 18 years old,” he said.

Foreign citizens who are included in the list can be vaccinated without any problems.

There have been new cases of COVID-19 in Tajikistan since January. The total number of coronavirus-related fatalities stands at 90 people since April 30.