Countries in the European Union began to receive their first shipments of the COVID-19 vaccine this weekend, ahead of a massive rollout scheduled for Sunday.
On Sunday, efforts will be made to vaccinate vulnerable people and first-priority medical workers in some of the countries most affected by the first wave of the virus this spring, including the Czech Republic, Italy and Spain, The Associated Press reported.
“It’s here, the good news at Christmas,” said German Health Minister Jens Spahn, according to the AP. “Right now, there are trucks all over Europe, in Germany and its regions, to deliver the first vaccine. More deliveries will follow the day after tomorrow. This vaccine is the key to ending this pandemic. “
The 27 member states of the European bloc have seen a total of 16 million cases of coronavirus since the start of the pandemic, with 336,000 deaths, the AP reported.
Doses of approximately 10,000 per country began to ship from Pfizer-BioNTech’s manufacturing center in Belgium before Christmas.
Although the initial shipments are relatively small in scale, the massive vaccination program will begin in January and will focus on immunizing many more people across the EU.
The EU has agreed to purchase up to 300 million Pfizer-BioNTech doses and millions more from other manufacturers such as Moderna.
Each country is responsible for its own rules regarding vaccine distribution, although countries unanimously prioritize older populations and medical professionals who are constantly at risk of being exposed and contracted the virus.
In Germany, people over 80 and people caring for vulnerable groups receive the first vaccines.
In countries like Poland and Bulgaria, members of the public have expressed some concern about the use of the vaccine beyond widespread mistrust of authorities, the AP reported.
Officials in Poland have urged residents that getting a vaccine would be their patriotic duty and help achieve herd immunity, while Croatian officials have said they intend to run an aggressive campaign to promote the benefits of coronavirus. vaccinations.
As the introduction of vaccines across the EU begins, officials have warned of a new strain of the virus that is reported to be 56 percent more contagious. The species has spread rapidly in the UK and has been found in several other countries.