Krenare Rushiti

Since the initial outbreak of COVID-19, and to this day, numerous variants of the virus have been recorded almost every two months. According to health experts, the reason behind the emergence of new variants is the non-vaccination of citizens with anti-covid vaccines. Despite a considerable number of vaccines having been secured worldwide, including in Kosovo (291,788), the reluctance of citizens towards inoculation remains a challenge. Reasons for the reluctance to get the vaccine include fake news disseminated through social networks, uncertainty about the side effects of the vaccine, or even misinformation about the benefits of the anti-covid vaccine.

In Kosovo, the number vaccinated persons with one dose, by August 26, 2021 is 508,540 and there are 256,235 people who got both shots.[1] According to the Ministry of Health of Kosovo, this data includes only those who have taken the first dose of vaccine outside Kosovo, and the second dose inside Kosovo. While there are no accurate data on the number of people fully vaccinated, outside Kosovo.

However, there is still a low number of vaccinated people compared to neighboring countries. For example, Northern Macedonia has 674,510 people who received one dose of the vaccine, and 503,401 people who got both doses. In Albania the number of persons vaccinated with one dose is 792,663 while the number of persons vaccinated with two doses is 594,050.[2]

During the recent weeks in Kosovo, there has been around 2,000 positive cases reported every day and the number of deaths has been increasing. For instance, according to the data published in daily basis by the National Institute of Public Health under the Ministry of Health, the number of deaths registered in the August 26 2021 has been 18.

To prevent, Kosovo institutions must undertake motivational policies that will encourage citizens to get the vaccines. To achieve this goal, it is important to follow the practices of other countries. In France, for example, citizens need a special permit to enter restaurants, cafes, and shopping malls. In Italy, vaccine passports are also required for teachers, as they cannot enter classrooms unless they present proof of vaccination. Also, The Republic of North Macedonia has started requiring vaccination certificates for entry in shopping centers. A certificate of at least one vaccine dose or of recovery is required for going to a restaurant, a conference, weddings and other private celebrations.

The following is a set of recommendations that D+ addresses to the Ministry of Health and the Kosovo Institute for Public Health regarding vaccination:

• Establish vaccination centers in villages, as not all citizens have the opportunity to visit the main vaccination centers;
• Place floor signs in vaccination centers, in order to maintain the physical distance between citizens
• Establish mobile vaccination teams in more remote areas and for older patients;
• Make vaccination for teachers, supermarket staff, hotel staff, bus and taxi drivers mandatory, as they all have direct contact with citizens;
• Organize public debates and TV shows with health experts to explain the effectiveness of the vaccine, and be open to questions from the public;
• Produce and publish video-messages by influential people who have been immu1nized.
• Vaccination should continue weekends, in order to provide citizens more vaccination opportunities.

Undertaking motivational policies to promote vaccination is crucial in pandemic times, and this should be an obligation for Kosovo’s decision-making institutions.

Disclaimer:

This article was produced under the EU funded project “Contribution to exposing flaws in institutional efforts to fighting COVID-19 pandemic through new legislation pieces and public contracts” implemented by Democracy Plus (D+). Its contents are the sole responsibility of its author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union.