During a conference at the Tirana International Airport, while waiting for the delivery of 7,020 Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines, Prime Minister Rama talked about the possibility of getting the Chinese vaccine, not excluding that as an option. “For sure in the aspect of our partnership we could do that step, perhaps we will need to do that in a second moment, I am not excluding that, but I would prefer to not do that, because it would be a blow for the European Union,” said Rama. The Prime Minister said that until now his government has followed the same path as the EU, in terms of the vaccines that are being approved: “Do not forget that Sinovac is not yet approved. Under these circumstances, we do not think that we should feel as we have lost any chance or time.”
A recurring theme in Rama’s remarks on the vaccination process, has been that of attacking the EU for not providing vaccines to the Western Balkans. Last night was no different. “Its quite a blow for the EU that Serbia is capable to send 4000 Pfizer vaccines to North Macedonia and the EU, even today that we are speaking, is not able to share at least a box with vaccines to the region countries […] Don’t make me talk more,” – said Rama.
In his conference Rama announced also that his government is in discussion to receive 360,000 doses of AstraZeneca vaccine from a partner country in April: “Today we have received a written confirmation by a partner country to receive 360,000 doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine, which according to this communication will be delivered in April. I am sharing this as an information without confirming anything, since we do not have signed and sealed the contract yet.”
Meanwhile on Tuesday morning, the process of vaccination started also in Shkodra, where the first in line to get the Pfizer vaccine were the doctors of Shkodra.
