“Albania Smile” campaign kicked off today with the first COVID-19 vaccine shots being administered at the vaccination booths specifically set up by the Ministry of Health the inside the Air Albania Stadium in Tirana. The first contingent to receive the coronavirus vaccine included 50 frontline health care workers, doctors and nurses of the Infectious Diseases Hospital. The Head of the COVID-1 hospital Najada Çomo was the first person and doctor to receive the COVID-19 vaccine shot in Albania.
Prime Minister Edi Rama also received the coronavirus vaccine symbolically at an on-camera event to convince the sceptics that the vaccine is safe and essential. Earlier in a press conference, the government head noted that taking the COVID-19 vaccine is not mandatory, yet highly advisable, as the only weapon to kill the novel coronavirus. The Premier observed all related procedures required to be strictly followed as part of the vaccination process, starting with the pre-vaccination waiting area, where a doctor filled up the medical records, vaccination and a 30-minute waiting at a post-vaccination observation area. At the end of the process, the government head told reporters:
–How do you feel, Mr. Prime Minister?
PM Edi Rama: Everything is okay. No problem of whatsoever. I think it is a fantastic day for the fact that we are relieved from a very heavy burden, the burden of responsibility not to let Albanians wait on a long queue and make sure that although Albania, and the region we are part of, was not included in the immediate supply scheme, the country was able to start the vaccination drive at the least possible time difference from those that spare no expense and trouble doing everything and make decisions and secure the supplies. Indeed, this slight weekly shift in time represents such a great relief to me. Albanians can now tranquilly wait without being anxious whether “the vaccine will be delivered or not”, whether “they will undergo vaccination or not.” Of course, taking the vaccine is not mandatory, yet it is advisable and everyone should be freed of stupid ideas and the toxin from the sources that feed conspiracy theories, because it is for sure that the vaccine won’t transform Illyrians into Vikings or Asians. The Illyrians will remain Illyrians. Vikings are not created through the vaccine. It is also for sure that no microchip is implanted in the body in order to wiretap and listen to the cafe gossips.
-You Mr. Prime Minister have pledged to donate a part of the COVID-19 vaccine doses to Kosovo. Will these initial doses will be all used here or some of them will be delivered to Kosovo?
PM Edi Rama: Don’t worry as you won’t be denied the vaccine and nobody else would, but it is extremely important that Kosovo too, although we can’t solve the problem they are facing now as they have yet to secure the vaccine and are still waiting, just like it would have been the case with us and every other country while waiting for the COVAX, a platform that nobody knows when it would become operational, can start the vaccine rollout for the frontline healthcare workers at the COVID-designated hospital in Pristina, the infectious disease hospital. Of course, we can provide Kosovo with only a symbolic number of vaccine doses starting next week, but it is really important so that we don’t think in the way the EU does, but we think that it is not only us, but there are also others that need the vaccine. Moreover, Kosovo and Albania, Albania and Kosovo are one, both in joy and sorrow, and therefore, though we are unable to address their plight, we can still think about how overcome the woe of our brothers and sisters in Kosovo.
– [inaudible]…what about Basha?
PM Edi Rama: It is Sali’s turn to receive the vaccine when the process begins with the very old adults.
