Vaccine rollout update: 5 million doses so far

Romanian authorities seek solutions to persuade as many people as possible to get the vaccine

Eugen Coroianu, 28.04.2021, 13:50

Romania has already administered over 5 million COVID-19 vaccine doses, in a national campaign that started on December 27. Over 3.1 million people have got the jab, some of them having received the booster dose as well.

The authorities seem satisfied with the vaccination rate, but say the rollout must be stepped up and that this will be done shortly. But whereas in the past people were unhappy that they could not get an appointment soon enough, now the situation has changed, and existing capacities are not fully used. The special online appointment platform now shows more spots available than the number of people interested in getting the vaccine, with the demand for the AstraZeneca serum falling dramatically.

Romania mostly uses Pfizer vaccines, followed by Moderna and, quite soon, Johnson&Johnson—all of which are approved by the EU.

The head of the National Vaccination Committee Valeriu Gheorghiţă announced for instance that in Pfizer centres the number of people immunised by each team will go up from 84 to 96, and that this week Romania has received the largest batch of Pfizer vaccines to date: around 725,000 doses. If we keep this pace, by June 1 we will have immunised more than 5 million people, Gheorghiţă added.

To reach this goal, Romania is adjusting its immunisation strategy on the go: alongside the online appointment platform, drive-through vaccination centres have been opened and vaccination marathons are being organised, as well as mobile teams traveling to more isolated communities. President Klaus Iohannis once again urged Romanians to get the vaccine:

Klaus Iohannis: “The return to normal depends on the extent to which people get vaccinated. We are receiving more and more doses and very soon we will have enough for absolutely all those who wish to get the vaccine. But since vaccination in Romania is not mandatory, we must do it of our own free will. I advise all Romanians to get the vaccine. It is the only way out of this pandemic. Unless enough of us do it, we will have to cover our faces and endure restrictions for a long time.

Klaus Iohannis added that the government is working on a large-scale awareness raising campaign involving artists, athletes and politicians. The vaccination centres will be increasingly easy to access, appointments will no longer be necessary, people will be able to get a vaccine any time and only make an appointment for the booster dose, the head of state explained. (tr. A.M. Popescu)