Armenia starts large-scale vaccination against Covid-19

YEREVAN, April 13. /ARKA/. Armenian health officials have started today the large-scale vaccination of people against coronavirus (COVID-19).

The Ministry of Health said the first to be vaccinated are people in so-called risk groups - persons 65 years of age and older, people suffering from chronic diseases aged 18 - 64, residents and staff of nursing homes, as well as staff of social assistance centers.

Armenia has purchased so far 24,000 doses of AstraZeneca and 15,000 doses of Sputnik-V vaccines planning to vaccinate as many as 7,500 people in the first stage.

Vaccination is not mandatory for the people in risk groups. People under 55 years of age from risk groups will be vaccinated with Sputnik V, and those over 55 years old - with AstraZeneca.

The ministry said also that the staff of medical centers where patients with COVID-19 are being treated were vaccinated with the previously purchased 2,000 doses of Sputnik-V vaccine.

Minister of Health Anahit Avanesyan downplayed fears associated with AstraZeneca vaccines which are said to cause blood clots. According to her, more than 190 million people have already been vaccinated with this vaccine and only 182 cases with side effects were reported.

Some European countries have refused this vaccine due to cases of thrombosis in vaccinated persons. -0-