Meeting under Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis on the coronavirus vaccination strategy was held today at the Maximos Palace.
"We would be making a huge mistake if this great success of science with the discovery of the vaccine led us to extra complacency.. The exact opposite must be done. Now that we know there is light at the end of the tunnel, now that we are almost certain that within its first half 2021 we will have achieved a sufficient level of vaccination to leave this crisis behind, this very information should make us stronger and more committed to comply with the protection measures ", stressed Kyriakos Mitsotakis during the teleconference on the coronavirus vaccination strategy.
The Prime Minister stressed that the vaccine will be free for all citizens. "I insist on the free access of all Greek women to the vaccine, because this government from the beginning treated the vaccine as a public good. That is why it will be available for free to everyone without exception. It's our obligation, but at the same time, In this way, Our commitment to the protection of public health is also stated ", said the Prime Minister.
Greece will receive more 25 million doses of Covid-19 vaccine through pre-purchase agreements signed by the European Union with pharmaceutical companies, while the first deliveries are expected at the beginning 2021, said Kyriakos Mitsotakis.
Kyriakos Mitsotakis vaccine
Referring to the vaccination plan, he stressed that "special structures will be developed throughout the country in Primary Health Care so that we can implement this mass vaccination. And of course there will be mobile crews that will vaccinate nursing homes or other citizens, who for various reasons can not move ".
The Prime Minister pointed out that yesterday in Parliament he called on all parties to send a representative to the National Vaccination Committee., which will draw up the vaccination schedule, adding that the relevant plan should be invested with the "maximum possible political consensus".
"It's very, very important to convince our fellow citizens that the vaccine will not just be effective, but also safe ", he stated.
The entire introductory position of the Prime Minister
We are here today to discuss planning our Covid-19 vaccination strategy. As you know, The first data on the effectiveness of the vaccine are extremely encouraging. This is something that brings us closer to the possibility of a massive and safe vaccination.
That's why we're here, for an implementation plan that will be holistic, from the supply, the storage, the safe distribution of vaccines until the organized delivery of vaccinations to all, starting obviously with those who will be in the top priority, based on the guidelines of the Vaccination Committee.
I insist on the free access of all Greek women to the vaccine, because this government from the beginning treated the vaccine as a public good. That's why it will be available to everyone for free, without exception. It is our obligation but at the same time, In this way, Our commitment to the protection of public health is also stated.
The purchase and distribution of vaccines has already been agreed at European level. The European Commission has already ensured - if I am not mistaken- 1,1 billions of doses of the final preparations. In Greece they correspond to more than 25 millions of pieces, some of these are double doses that need to be done, we have the right to ask for more. The first deliveries are expected from the beginning 2021.
Kyriakos Mitsotakis vaccine
The National Vaccination Committee, as is the case in all countries, will determine the vaccination schedule. Yesterday, in fact, in Parliament I called on all parties to send a representative to the National Committee, so that there is the maximum possible political consensus on how we will proceed with the implementation of the project. It is very important to convince our fellow citizens that the vaccine will not just be effective, but also safe.
And as our fellow citizens were massively and successfully vaccinated against the flu this year - I want to congratulate the Ministry for the way in which it organized the flu vaccination- The same should be true of the Covid vaccine. We know that some vaccines require special maintenance conditions, some require very low temperatures and once they leave these temperatures they must be administered within a few hours.
I want to emphasize that this vaccination will not be possible in the traditional way, through private doctors and pharmacists, for exactly these reasons. They will develop - and then Marios Themistocleous will speak to us- across the country special structures in Primary Health Care to be able to implement this mass vaccination. And of course there will be mobile teams that will vaccinate health workers, nursing homes or other fellow citizens who for various reasons cannot move. And it goes without saying that all this effort will be accompanied by an information campaign by the experts, those responsible for this vaccination.
Kyriakos Mitsotakis vaccine
Close, Nevertheless, with a necessary remark - repeating something that I said yesterday in Parliament- the vaccine does not provide the solution today. Shows us, Nevertheless, the road to the solution tomorrow. And we would make a huge mistake if this great success of science led us to extra complacency. The exact opposite must be done. Now that we know there is light at the end of the tunnel, now that we're almost sure of that, within its first half 2021, we will have achieved a sufficient level of vaccination to leave this crisis behind, it is this information that should make us stronger and more committed to adhering to safeguards.
And most importantly - I will say it again- to limit our mobility only to the absolutely necessary movements. When we asked our fellow citizens to do it - and they did in March and April- they did it without knowing then what would be the end of this adventure. Now we know, with a fairly high degree of confidence.
Consequently, I repeat my appeal today, beyond and above the measures already taken by the State, each of us to consider his responsibility towards himself, to his family, to his social whole and to limit his movements to what is absolutely necessary. So that we can, in this difficult time for the National Health System, to facilitate our health, doctors, nurses, who are fighting a titanic battle right now in the country's hospitals, but also to support our fellow citizens who may need the services of the National Health System, to go through this difficult period until we can have vaccination levels such that we will leave this pandemic behind for good.
The meeting was attended by the Minister of Health Vassilis Kikilias, the Minister of State and Digital Government Kyriakos Pierrakakis, the Minister of State George Gerapetritis, the Deputy Minister of Health Vassilis Kontozamanis, the Deputy Minister despite the Prime Minister responsible for the Coordination of the Government Project Akis Skertsos, Professor Sotiris Tsiodras, the Secretary General of the Prime Minister Grigoris Dimitriadis, the General Secretary of Primary Health Care Marios Themistokleous, the General Secretary of Coordination Thanasis Kontogeorgis, the Director of the Office of the Prime Minister in the Parliament Michalis Bekiris and the Deputy Government Representative Aristotle Peloni.
Source: iefimerida.gr
