Romania – from relaxation to vaccination

Romania begins administering the Covid vaccine to 12- to 15-year-olds.

Ştefan Stoica, 02.06.2021, 14:00

From
Wednesday, 2nd June, the Pfizer vaccine is also given in Romania to
children above the age of 12. The online platform has been optimised and allows
parents to make appointments for their children from their account. The vaccination
scheme and appointments are the same as in the case of the adult population,
but in the minors’ case the consent of parents or legal guardians is also
required. The trials conducted have shown very good levels of safety and
tolerability and maximum efficacy, with no Covid cases being recorded among the
group of children who received the Covid jab as opposed to the unvaccinated
group.

On
the other hand, the pace of vaccination has slowed down in Romania compared to some
time ago when the Covid vaccine was being administered at a rate of 100,000 people
a day. The decrease in the request for vaccination is a reason for concern,
says health minister Ioana Mihăilă, who told a private television channel: It
was to be expected somehow that the people who wanted to get the vaccine have
already done so, and now we’re at a point where the people who need encouragement
to get the vaccine have to get that encouragement, by bringing the vaccine to
them, making it very easy to get it. The minister emphasised that access to
vaccination is no longer an issue, except, perhaps, in rural areas where not
even GPs have got the vaccine. Elsewhere, however, access to vaccination is
easy, but people probably need more time to make up their minds, the minister also
said. She said the authorities are working on transferring medical staff from
the urban to the rural areas to boost vaccination rates.

A
physician herself, minister Ioana Mihăilă has urged people to get the vaccine,
saying she is convinced there are no long-term effects as some are fearing,
while the medium- and long-term effects of contracting Covid-19 are undeniable.
The appetite for vaccination has faded, the vaccination marathons no longer generate
enthusiasm and the authorities’ target of 5 million vaccinated people by 1st
June has not been achieved.

The
infection rate is still low and new relaxations came into effect in Romania
from 1st June. Private parties are again allowed, sports
competitions can also be held with public indoors, clubs and discos are
reopening, as well as indoor swimming pools and indoor play areas for children.
The number of participants is restricted, but can be higher if attendees are vaccinated.
Cultural activities can also be held outdoors with 1,000 spectators at most. Wearing
face masks is no longer mandatory at the workplace in enclosed spaces with five
people at most in the room if all of them are fully vaccinated. (CM)