The continuation of the coronavirus vaccine rollout, currently underway with the jabs initially administered to the front-line doctors and nurses at the COVID-designated hospitals, is fully ensured thanks to the negotiations with the vaccine producers. Prime Minister Edi Rama voiced optimism the country would face no shortages of vaccine doses.  “As far as the COVID-19 vaccine, I am convinced you are fully aware of what is going on in Europe when it comes to the vaccine deliveries and the tremendous difficulties the countries are facing in their efforts to ensure supplies according to the previously agreed terms. This is their claim as the company Pfizer has reduced production, arguing it will need some time to finance the investment designed to boost the manufacturing capacities, as the production-demand rate was extremely inverse and it is understandable that entire planet is seeking to secure the vaccine, but it is only one company manufacturing it. However, first and foremost  I am really pleased we managed to break the siege we found ourselves against our wish and not because of our fault, together with other Western Balkan countries, which were left out of the European Union’s vaccine rollout scheme and we succeeded to reach a direct bilateral deal with Pfizer, without having to wait for the deliveries through the COVAX mechanism, for which we paid more than $4 million in advance last year, which nobody knows when it is going to become operational, although some claim it will start in February.

We have already signed a renewable contract on 500.000 vaccine doses with Pfizer. The first batch of 10.000 vaccine doses should have been delivered by end of January, but the delay was caused by company Pfizer that notified all countries it would slow down the production rate. But it is with pleasure that I can announce today – and I think I am not revealing any compromising secret –that we have received the confirmation that Pfizer will deliver the first batch of vaccines on Monday. I hope we won’t receive another notification, as it seems to be a confirmation, based on all the data. The delivery will begin with a smaller quantity of vaccines than promised, but the deliveries will keep growing soon. We are meanwhile edging closer to administering the second dose to those who received the first one earlier this month and I am confident that once the regular deliveries begin we will be able to further expand the vaccination drive to primarily include more doctors and nurses. On the other hand, it is not Pfizer only as we can’t afford that our entire vaccination program relies on Pfizer vaccines alone. Therefore, we are negotiating with Astra Zeneca and a contract with this company is expected to be finalized soon.

Meanwhile, a number of other vaccines are expected to become available soon. We have already issued initial contacts to secure a place on the long queue, so to say, because this is an unimaginable war and it is, so to say, an unimaginable clash of interests, as well as intrigues and games in the efforts to find a path that leads you closer to the vaccine availability. I am very optimistic that in terms of capacities, we won’t face shortages of vaccine doses. We have developed a plan that is composed of three scenarios. The first scenario projects that the vaccination campaign completes in 14 months. The Minister of Health is intensely working along with her team on the training program of the people who will be tasked with conducting the vaccination process, because it is all about a specific vaccination. This is not like common flu vaccines that can be administered by everyone. The individuals who will administer vaccines would have to undergo information and a training process. The second scenario envisages completion of the vaccination drive in 18 months, whereas the third one suggests that the process will complete in 22 or 24 months. I am optimistic we will be on the right direction regarding this aspect,” the Premier said during the meeting with Korça citizens, also answering to the interest of local doctors regarding the issue.