GRASS Deploys Mobile Vaccination Clinics in Dmanisi and Marneuli Municipalities with EU support
By Natalia Kochiashvili
Friday, November 19
On November 18, Georgia’s Reforms Associates (GRASS) deployed mobile vaccination clinics in the Armenian, Azerbaijani, and Georgian language-speaking settlements in Kvemo Kartli region, within the framework of the “COVID-19: Civil Society Resilience and Sustainability” project, funded by the European Union (EU) and implemented by ERIM (formerly IREX Europe) as well as by Human Rights House Tbilisi (HRHT). The main goal of the project is to promote the resilience and sustainability of civil society in the Eastern Partnership countries, which will enable them to mitigate the direct and long-term impact of COVID-19.
Within the framework of the project, GRASS has trained 10 representatives of the local youth, informing them about the COVID-19 vaccination process and the vaccine-related disinformation. Conducting door-to-door canvassing on November 15, 16, and 17, young volunteers delivered accurate information about the vaccination to the citizens living in the villages of Shaumiani (also, IDP settlement 'Garadok';), Akhkula and Khikhani in the Marneuli Municipality, and Amamlo and Bezaklo in the Dmanisi Municipality. In addition, the volunteers informed the locals that on November 18, GRASS, the National Center for Disease Control and Public Health (NCDC), and the Ministry of Health, Labour, and Social Affairs of Georgia deployed mobile vaccination clinics in their villages.
Mobile vaccination sites were set up in the villages of Shaumiani and Amamlo, where locals had the opportunity to get vaccinated. Also, following the pandemic regulations, a mobile musical concert was held next to the vaccination sites.
Initiatives like this are of critical importance, given the reduced trend of vaccination over the last couple of months in the country. As of November 18, only 973,796 have been completely vaccinated in Georgia and 2,074,270 individuals have received at least one dose so far. The infection rate remains critically high - Georgia has reported 4,446 new cases of coronavirus, 5,320 recoveries, and 77 deaths in the past 24 hours. 51,662 remain infected with Covid-19.
According to the Ministry of Health, after the introduction of the government incentive program, the number of vaccinations has increased by 600%. The incentive program envisions a supplement of GEL200 for the people over 60 years who will be vaccinated by December 31st. The cash supplement is issued after the first vaccination. In general, the Health Ministry press release informed that the immunization process has intensified across the country. Retirees are particularly active in the regions. According to the agency, a total of 19,290 citizens have been vaccinated in Georgia since November 8, which is 332.41% more than in the previous month.
Recall that the Georgian Ministry of Health has launched a COVID pass smartphone application Georgia e-Health which displays an individual's COVID-19 vaccination records, as well as the latest PCR and antigen test results. Georgia e-Health is available both on App Store and Google Play. Following the installation, an individual needs to register in the system. After this, one's vaccination, testing, and recovery information will be displayed automatically. Individuals who do not use smartphones can receive their COVID passes at public service halls.
COVID passes will be required from December 1 to enter the following establishments: Food facilities (both open and closed spaces), cinemas, theatres, opera houses, museums, concert halls, entertainment centers, casinos, gambling facilities, spa centers, gyms, hotels, and mountain resorts.
