Georgian health officials concerned over low vaccination rate

By Khatia Bzhalava

Thursday, March 25

Tamar Gabunia, Deputy Health Minister stressed that if doses of the coronavirus vaccine are not used effectively, the next delivery of vaccines from the Covax platform will be questioned.

The first doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine arrived on March 13. Georgia is expected to receive 29,250 doses of the Pfizer vaccine on March 24.

Low engagement in the vaccination process has been alarming to Georgian Health officials. According to the director of the Infectious Diseases Hospital Tengiz Tsertsvadze, despite the introduction of 43,200 doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine in Georgia, there is an unprecedented passivity and great skepticism towards vaccination. He did not rule out that if such a low vaccination rate is maintained, the age limit for obtaining vaccines could be lowered or even lifted. Tsertsvadze added that vaccination might become universal.

He also stressed at the briefing that the rate of facemask-wear in public fell from 70% to 42%. Tsertsvadze warned the citizens that if they refused vaccination and face masks, which “can reduce new cases, minimize and even nullify fatalities,” the third wave of coronavirus would be inevitable.

Tsertsvadze also touched upon the new strain and stressed that several cases of British strain were observed in Georgia.

Coronavirus vaccines are currently available to medical personnel; however, starting from March 25, citizens over the age of 65 can register for vaccinations. According to Deputy Health Minister Tamar Gabunia, If the vaccination rates remain low, shortly, Georgian citizens aged 55 and over will be able to sign up for vaccine appointments as the COVID-19 vaccines cannot be left unutilized. According to her, if doses of the coronavirus vaccine are not used fully and effectively, the next delivery of vaccines from the Covax platform will be questioned.

Gabunia announced at the briefing that to raise public trust towards vaccines, 100 doses will be likely allocated for celebrities of any age group, who will be vaccinated publicly.

The COVID-19 vaccination process in the country started on March 15. The first doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine were taken on live TV by the Minister of Health, the staff of the National Center for Disease Control, and doctors of leading clinics.

Georgia reported 450 coronavirus cases, 254 recoveries, and eight deaths yesterday. The daily test-positivity rate stands at 1,93 %, while 1.59% in the past 14 days.