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Mass Vaccination Begins in Zagreb: Over 65s, Chronic Patients First in Line

By 22 February 2021
Mass Vaccination Begins in Zagreb: Over 65s, Chronic Patients First in Line
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February 22, 2021 - Mass vaccination begins in Zagreb today for people over 65 and chronic patients.

Jutarnji List reports that this week, 16,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccines should be distributed to family medicine clinics in Zagreb to vaccinate people over 65 and chronic patients, reveals the Zagreb Teaching Institute for Public Health "Dr. Andrija Štampar."

So far, about 85,000 Zagreb citizens who have entered this category have applied for vaccination, and the Institute says that the number is increasing every day. Citizens will be vaccinated by about 400 medical teams of family medicine, with 35 percent voting for vaccination in their offices. In contrast, the rest will be vaccinated at one of the 19 points provided for that purpose in the city.

The mass vaccination of people over the age of 65 and chronic patients started on Saturday in Međimurje as well.

Everything is ready for vaccination in Zagreb, said Zvonimir Šostar, director of the Institute of Public Health 'Dr. Andrija Štampar' for HRT.

"We have 12,000 doses of AstraZeneca at our disposal, so three vials would be given to each vaccinee, some 35 percent of whom will be vaccinated in their organizations and 65 percent at 19 points. Moderna did not arrive here last week, although it was announced, I believe it will come today or tomorrow, so we will immediately forward another bottle of Moderna to our colleagues, i.e., 10 doses," said Šostar.

He also explained that the Moderna vaccine must be transported frozen, while the AstraZeneca does not require special conditions. Vaccine delivery will end this afternoon.

"We are doing a huge job, and the employees are working until 11 pm, midnight," said Šostar and added that there is no fear about the effectiveness of the AstraZeneca vaccine. If all goes well, 17,000 people could receive the vaccine this week.

"All the vaccine in this world that is used protects you from severe forms of the disease, from hospitalization, and ultimately from ventilators," Šostar added for HRT.

"Every week, more and more people apply to doctors for vaccinations, and the younger population has recently started applying," said Mirela Marković, a member of the executive board of KoHOM, whose office begins vaccination tomorrow morning.

To read more about COVID-19 in Croatia, follow TCN's dedicated page.

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