The Government thanked the Slovak Ministry of Health for this valuable donation, and the contingent of vaccines that arrived in our country will soon be found in clinics and their application will begin.

The Government thanked the Slovak Ministry of Health for this valuable donation, and the contingent of vaccines that arrived in our country will soon be found in clinics and their application will begin.

The government reminds that vaccination is the only specific and proven effective way to prevent the occurrence of severe forms of illness, hospitalization and death, especially in the most sensitive categories of the population, such as those over 50 and people with weakened immunity for any reason.

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The Digital Covid Certificate – allowing travellers to prove they are fully vaccinated, recently tested negative for Covid-19 or recovered from an infection in the past six months – was adopted in June 2021 to facilitate free movement in the EU during the pandemic, for a limited period of 12 months.

“A year ago, we put in place the EU Digital Covid Certificate so that unilateral national restrictions would not endanger the right to free movement and equality,” said rapporteur Juan Fernando López Aguilar of the Committee. “We wanted to prevent discrimination between countries of origin, and we wanted this regulation to be time-limited. However, we can only get rid of it once the pandemic is over,” he added.

Since it is not over yet, the validity of the scheme is being extended, and experts will evaluate the situation in six months’ time. “Now, people are again travelling across borders in Europe, which shows that the regulation is working.” Along with extending the validity of the Certificate until the end of June next year, the changes also enable member states to grant test certificates based on new types of antigen tests. MEPs stressed that member states should avoid additional restrictions for travellers with a Covid Digital Certificate, “ unless absolutely necessary.”

If additional restrictions are needed, they should be “limited and proportionate” and based on the latest scientific advice from the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) and the EU Health Security Committee. Additionally, the necessity and proportionality of the Certificate will be assessed six months after its extension, as MEPs want to drop the measure as soon as the epidemiological situation allows.

Now, the decision of the Civil Liberties Committee to open negotiations with the Council on the legislative proposal will be announced at the opening of next week’s plenary session in Strasbourg, which is expected to be just a formality. If there is an objection, however, the decision will be put to the vote on Thursday 5 May.

Source: brusselstimes.com

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Johnson told lawmakers that the restrictions were being eased because government scientists think it is likely that the surge of infections prompted by the highly contagious omicron variant “has now peaked nationally.”

While hospitals in northern England still are getting pressed by high caseloads and infections were still rising in schools, Johnson said hospital admissions and patients in intensive care units elsewhere in England were stabilizing or falling.

The government is no longer advising people to work from home, and compulsory face masks will be scrapped in secondary school classrooms starting Thursday.

Mandatory COVID-19 passes will not be needed to gain entry to large-scale events beginning Jan. 27. Face masks will no longer be legally required anywhere in England as of that day.

“We will trust the judgment of the British people and no longer criminalize anyone who chooses not to wear one,” Johnson said.

The restrictions were introduced in December to slow the rapid spread of the omicron variant and buy time for the population to get their booster vaccine shot.

Johnson said Wednesday that more than 90% of those over age 60 in the U.K. have had booster shots.

Official figures showed that COVID-19 infections have dropped in most parts of the U.K. for the first time since early December. The government reported 108,069 new cases on Wednesday, about half the daily number recorded over the holidays.

The requirement for those infected to self-isolate for five full days remains, but Johnson said that measure will also end in the coming weeks. He said while the self-isolation rule expires on March 24, he will seek to scrap it earlier if the virus data continues to improve.

Johnson and Health Secretary Sajid Javid both suggested that the government is planning for a post-pandemic period when it can treat COVID-19 more like the flu.

“There will soon come a time when we can remove the legal requirement to self-isolate altogether, just as we don’t place legal obligations on people to isolate if they have flu,” Johnson said.

Nonetheless, Johnson urged people to remain cautious in the last weeks of winter and stressed that the pandemic was “not over.”

The news was welcomed by businesses, especially those relying on workers re-populating city centers, as well as hospitality and tourism. But some said officials need to give more details about their plans to cope with the coronavirus in the longer term. Johnson’s spokesman said the government would publish such a plan “shortly.”

“There’s a vital need now for greater consistency in how we live with the virus in the longer term. Swinging back and forth between restrictions and normality has been damaging,” said Matthew Fell, chief policy director of the Confederation of British Industry.

Scotland and Wales, which set their own public health rules, have also announced similar easing of restrictions.

Britain has the second-worst pandemic death toll in Europe after Russia, with over 153,000 confirmed virus-related deaths.

Source: apnews.com, Photo: Ian Vogler, Pool Photo via AP

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There were protests in Vienna on Sunday after Austria entered its fourth national lockdown due to the current pandemic wave, with people now being asked to work from home and non-essential shops closing.

Austrian Chancellor Alexander Schallenberg has said that the lockdown would run for a “maximum of 20 days.” Covid vaccinations will be mandatory from Feb. 1 next year, making Austria the first European country to introduce compulsory vaccination.

In Belgium, protesters clashed with police after tens of thousands of people gathered in a march through Brussels’ city center on Sunday. The “Protest for Freedom” march, primarily aimed at protesting against stricter Covid restrictions, was attended by around 35,000 people, the police estimated.

Meanwhile, demonstrations continued for a third day in the Netherlands, following violent scenes and dozens of arrests in Rotterdam, with thousands more gathering in Amsterdam over the weekend.

After Rotterdam’s riots, there was further trouble in various neighborhoods in The Hague on Saturday night, as well as reports of disorder in several other smaller Dutch towns.

Over 50 people were arrested in Rotterdam on Friday after fierce demonstrations that were described as an “orgy of violence” by the city’s mayor.

Dutch police used water cannons and fired warning shots, injuring at least two people, after rioters against the country’s partial Covid lockdown — imposed amid surging cases — torched a police car, set off fireworks and hurled rocks at police officers.

Many Dutch people oppose the lockdown measures that have seen shops, bars and restaurants forced to close at 8 p.m.

Covid passes, which restrict access to venues like museums and bars to the vaccinated or recently recovered from Covid, are now compulsory in more venues. Protesters are opposed to government plans to make Covid passes mandatory in more sectors of public life. For now, tighter Covid measures are due to last until at least Dec. 4.

Covid passes are also fueling protests in Rome, where large crowds gathered this weekend, objecting to the enforcement of Italy’s version of the Covid passport, the “Green Pass,” which became mandatory for all Italian workers on Oct. 15.

Workers must either show proof of vaccination, a negative test or recent recovery from infection or they could be suspended from work without pay or face a fine.

Thousands of people also marched in Croatia’s capital Zagreb on Saturday, demonstrating against mandatory vaccinations for public sector workers and Covid passes.

In Germany, politicians are beginning to debate the need for mandatory vaccinations, a move which could prompt protests if implemented.

The country’s seven-day coronavirus incidence rate has hit record highs in the past two weeks, while only 68% of the population is fully vaccinated.

The government imposed nationwide restrictions against the unvaccinated last week, but lawmakers from across the political spectrum have said stricter rules may be needed.

Source: cnbc.com

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Fauci discussed what was driving virus surges in hot spots around the U.S. 

“What we’re starting to see now is an uptick in hospitalizations among people who’ve been vaccinated but not boosted,” Fauci said Tuesday. “It’s a significant proportion, but not the majority by any means.”

In a White House COVID-19 Response Team briefing on Wednesday, Fauci stressed the importance of vaccines and highlighted their efficacy. 

“We have 62 million Americans eligible for vaccines who are still not vaccinated. The data that I show you do not lie. Vaccines protect you, your family, and your community,” he said, speaking alongside U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky. “And importantly, it is not too late, as Dr. Walensky has said. Get vaccinated now.” 

At the same panel, Walensky gave similar remarks, explaining that the agency is “seeing an increase in emergency department visits among adults age 65 and older, which are now again higher than they are for younger age groups.”

Residents of long-term care facilities and adults over age 65 were among the first eligible for vaccination.

However, Walensky noted that new data from the National Healthcare Safety Network looking at COVID-19 cases in long-term care facilities shows that booster shots are working.

“[The U.S. Food and Drug Administration] is currently evaluating data on the authorization of booster doses for all people over age 18.  As we’ve done before, CDC will quickly review the safety and effectiveness data and make recommendations as soon as we hear from FDA,” she said.

All of this comes amidst fears about winter outbreaks fueled by coronavirus variants and holiday travel. 

More than 53 million Americans are expected to travel for Thanksgiving next week, according to predictions from AAA.

Cases in some states in the West, Midwest and Northeast are on the rise, forcing hospitals and state and local leaders to take action. 

The FDA is expected to authorize booster doses of the Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for all adults before an influential U.S. advisory panel meets on Friday. The action would reportedly expand the number of eligible Americans by tens of millions.

Scientists had initially questioned whether booster shots were necessary for all Americans, and while some cities and states already allow all adults to get boosters of the Pfizer vaccine, it is not yet official U.S. policy. 

On Thursday, Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker’s administration announced that all adults are now eligible for booster shots.

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer urged Wednesday for residents to schedule their boosters. Michigan had the country’s second-highest case rate over the last week, and the seven-day average – 7,187 – was approaching peaks from April and last December.

Governors in California, New Mexico, Arkansas, West Virginia and Colorado have expanded shots to all adults without waiting for the federal government.

Boosters are currently recommended for people who initially received their second Pfizer or Moderna shots at least six months ago if they’re 65 or older or are at high risk of COVID-19 because of health problems or their job or living conditions. Boosters are also recommended for people who received the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine at least two months ago.

More than 31 million Americans have already received a dose beyond their original vaccination, CDC data shows. 

During an interview on NBC News’ “Hallie Jackson Now,” Fauci stressed the importance of booster availability and said the future of the pandemic during the holiday season is “going to be up to us.”

“We’ve got to start right now getting anybody who’s eligible … to get them boosted,” he said. “And, we’ve got realize that when you’re in a situation where you’re having 80-plus-thousand new cases a day, when you’re in an indoor setting in which you don’t know the vaccine status of the people in a congregate setting [indoors], you should wear a mask.”

Source: Fox News, Associated Press

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Being part of the EU’s Digital COVID Certificate System means that the Serbian certificate is readable on the EU verifier apps but also in other countries using the same system.  This will simplify verification of information on testing, recovery or vaccination, and thus ensure safe travel. Likewise, the EU Digital COVID Certificate will be readable on the verifier apps in Serbia. So far, 22 non-EU countries joined the EU Digital COVID Certificate system, including Albania and North Macedonia. Until the technical side is fully operational a few more days may pass as the IT systems have to be aligned.

The EU Digital COVID Certificate is not an entry document and therefore, holders of a Serbian digital COVID certificate do not automatically have the right to enter an EU Member State. Holders of the Serbian certificate still need to check if they meet the entry requirements and verify carefully the specific conditions required by the Member State of their destination (including the acceptance or not of the vaccine registered on the Serbian COVID certificate). Moreover, holders of a Serbian certificate wishing to travel to the EU should carefully check a Member State’s internal rules (for example, the requirements to access facilities such as hotels or restaurants inside the country), as these rules may be different to the entry requirements for the country. 

Depending on the epidemiological situation, EU Member States may ask for additional requirements regardless, such as testing or may take specific safeguard measures for their population, such as compulsory mask wearing, restricting visits to public spaces (such as restaurants) only to vaccinated persons or persons vaccinated with specific vaccines, or quarantine measures. 

An overview of national travel restrictions and containment measures is available on the website https://reopen.europa.eu/en where you can also link to each EU Member State´s competent authorities regarding their detailed requirements.

You can find further information on the EU Digital COVID Certificate under this link.

Further information on the technical details for obtaining the EU certificate in Serbia will follow in the coming days.

Photo: multimedia europa.eu

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The twin votes represented a heavy blow to the Biden administration’s sweeping effort, announced a month ago, to shore up nearly all Americans’ protection amid the spread of the highly contagious delta variant.

The nonbinding recommendation — from an influential committee of outside experts who advise the Food and Drug Administration — is not the last word. The FDA will consider the group’s advice and make its own decision, probably within days. And the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is set to weigh in next week.

In a surprising turn, the advisory panel rejected, 16-2, boosters for almost everyone. Members cited a lack of safety data on extra doses and also raised doubts about the value of mass boosters, rather than ones targeted to specific groups.

Then, in an 18-0 vote, it endorsed extra shots for people 65 and older and those at risk of serious disease. Panel members also agreed that health workers and others who run a high risk of being exposed to the virus on the job should get boosters, too.

That would help salvage part of the White House’s campaign but would still be a huge step back from the far-reaching proposal to offer third shots of both the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines to Americans eight months after they get their second dose.

The White House sought to frame the action as progress

“Today was an important step forward in providing better protection to Americans from COVID-19,” said White House spokesman Kevin Munoz. “We stand ready to provide booster shots to eligible Americans once the process concludes at the end of next week.”

The CDC has said it is considering boosters for older people, nursing home residents and front-line health care workers, rather than all adults.

The FDA and CDC will most likely decide at some later point whether people who received the Moderna or Johnson & Johnson shots should get boosters.

During several hours of vigorous debate Friday, members of the panel questioned the value of offering boosters to almost everybody 16 and over.

“I don’t think a booster dose is going to significantly contribute to controlling the pandemic,” said Dr. Cody Meissner of Tufts University. “And I think it’s important that the main message we transmit is that we’ve got to get everyone two doses.”

Dr. Amanda Cohn of the CDC said, “At this moment it is clear that the unvaccinated are driving transmission in the United States.”

In a statement, Kathrin U. Jansen, Pfizer head of vaccine research and development, said the company continues to believe that boosters will be a “critical tool in the ongoing effort to control the spread of this virus.”

Scientists inside and outside the government have been divided recently over the need for boosters and who should get them, and the World Health Organization has strongly objected to rich nations giving a third round of shots when poor countries don’t have enough vaccine for their first.

While research suggests immunity levels in those who have been vaccinated wane over time and boosters can reverse that, the Pfizer vaccine is still highly protective against severe illness and death, even amid the delta variant.

The unexpected turn of events could reinforce criticism that the Biden administration got out ahead of the science in its push for boosters. President Joe Biden promised early on that his administration would “follow the science,” in the wake of disclosures of political meddling in the Trump administration’s coronavirus response.

The FDA panel’s overwhelming initial rejection came despite full-throated arguments about the need for boosters from both Pfizer and health officials from Israel, which began offering boosters to its citizens in July.

Sharon Alroy-Preis of Israel’s Ministry of Health said the booster dose improves protection tenfold against infection in people 60 and older.

“It’s like a fresh vaccine,” bringing protection back to original levels and helping Israel “dampen severe cases in the fourth wave,” she said.

Representatives for Pfizer argued that it is important to start shoring up immunity before protection begins to erode. A company study of 44,000 people showed effectiveness against symptomatic COVID-19 was 96% two months after the second dose, but had dropped to 84% by around six months.

Both Pfizer and the Israeli representatives faced pushback from panelists. Several were skeptical about the relevance of Israel’s experience to the U.S. Another concern was whether third doses would exacerbate serious side effects, including rare instances of heart inflammation in younger men.

Pfizer pointed to Israeli data from nearly 3 million boosters to suggest side effect rates would be similar to those already reported.

Dr. Paul Offit, a vaccine expert at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, said he was supportive of a third dose for adults over 60 or 65, but “I really have trouble” supporting it for anyone down to age 16.

While an extra shot would probably at least temporarily reduce cases with mild or no symptoms, “the question becomes what will be the impact of that on the arc of the pandemic, which may not be all that much,” Offit said.

Biden’s top health advisers, including the heads of the FDA and CDC, first announced plans for widespread booster shots in mid-August, setting the week of Sept. 20 as an all-but-certain start date. But that was before FDA staff scientists had completed their own assessments of the data.

COVID-19 vaccinations administered in the US

Earlier this week, two top FDA vaccine reviewers joined a group of international scientists in publishing an editorial rejecting the need for boosters in healthy people. The scientists said studies show the shots are working well.

On Friday, U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy said the Biden administration announcement was not aimed at pressuring regulators to act but was instead an attempt to be transparent with the public and be prepared in the event that boosters won approval.

“We have always said that this initial plan would be contingent on the FDA and the CDC’s independent evaluation,” Murthy said.

The Biden plan has also raised major ethical concerns about impoverished parts of the world still clamoring for vaccine. But the administration argued that the plan was not an us-or-them choice, noting that the U.S. is supplying large quantities of vaccine to the rest of the globe.

The U.S. has already approved Pfizer and Moderna boosters for certain people with weakened immune systems, such as cancer patients and transplant recipients.

Some Americans, healthy or not, have managed to get boosters, in some cases simply by showing up and asking for a shot. And some health systems already are offering extra doses to high-risk people.

The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Department of Science Education. The AP is solely responsible for all content.

Source: apnews.com by Matthew Perrone And Lauran Neergaard, Photo: AP Photo/Matt Rourke, File

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The five ambulances bring the total number of ambulances the United States has provided to Serbia to 11. The donations are through the United States Agency for International Development’s (USAID) “Together Against Covid” partnership with the United Nations Development Program (UNDP). In June, U.S. Ambassador Anthony F. Godfrey handed over six ambulances to Serbian Minister of Health Zlatibor Lončar.

Valued at approximately $525,000, the ambulances comprise one part of the $1 million Together Against COVID partnership between USAID and UNDP to support health and social care facilities in Serbia. Thus far, the United States has provided Serbia with approximately $5 million in COVID assistance.

The new ambulances were dispatched for delivery to Primary Health Care Centers in Ljig, Merošina, Jagodina and Veliko Gradište, as well as the General Hospital in Loznica.

„We are in dire need of a new vehicle, since several our ambulances were destroyed in a recent fire, and we had to borrow vehicles from neighboring municipalities”, stated Doctor Milan Todorović, Director of the General Hospital in Loznica.

Previous recipients of ambulances funded by the United States are the primary healthcare centers in Bogatić, Kraljevo, Vranje and Svrljig, as well as the general hospital in Jagodina and the Special Hospital for Nonspecific Lung Diseases in Sokobanja.

“We are looking forward to the day when we can speak about this pandemic in the past tense and when there are no more COVID patients for these ambulances to transport. To get to that point, more people need to understand the importance of getting vaccinated. The Serbian Government knows this, and we will support their efforts to spread awareness,” said Shanley Pinchotti, acting Director of the USAID Mission to Serbia.

“The Covid crisis has shown that it knows no borders and how important it is to be in solidarity, to help each other, and not to forget the residents from smaller cities and municipalities in rural areas of the country. These ambulances are equipped to provide emergency medical care and we hope that they will enable all citizens who need it, to reach the health facilities quickly and safely,” said Francine Pickup, UNDP Resident Representative in Serbia.

Donation of ambulances is one of the activities within the “Together against COVID” project, funded by USAID and implemented by UNDP in partnership with the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Labor, Employment, Veterans and Social Affairs and the Institute of Public Health of Serbia “Dr Milan Jovanovic Batut.”

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COVID-19 has exacerbated poverty, inequality and vulnerability experienced by many families and children, especially since many children could not continue with their education. These disruptions have the greatest impact on the most vulnerable children who are far less likely to have access to remote learning and more likely to be exposed to violence, abuse, neglect, child marriage and other risks.

Significantly, Serbia is one of the countries in which children were able to continue learning, despite challenges. However, like in many other countries, the lack of in-person classes has impacted students’ learning, health and well-being at critical developmental stages with repercussions for each child and their family.

UNICEF supports the vaccination of teachers and education professionals. Together with other prevention measures, it can minimize the risk of infection within school settings and can consequently influence the modality of schooling. 

The Government of the Republic of Serbia has financed the procurement of these vaccines, while UNICEF, as a procurement agent in the COVAX Facility, has ensured that vaccines are procured, transported and delivered to Serbia. The Republic of Serbia has so far received 292,800 doses of AstraZeneca vaccines procured through the COVAX Facility.

The COVAX Facility is co-led by GAVI, the Vaccine Alliance, the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI).

The goal of the COVAX initiative is to provide nations with equitable and affordable access to safe and effective vaccines against COVID-19, regardless of their income level and UNICEF is supporting this process as a delivery agent.

Source: UNICEF, Photo: UNICEF Srbija/2021/Vaš

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Thousands of Europeans took to the streets in France, Italy and Greece on Saturday to demonstrate against coronavirus restrictions and mandatory vaccination policies.

French protesters angered by health pass proposal

In France, some 160,000 demonstrators expressed anger towards French President Emmanuel Macron and the government in Paris and other major cities.

The protesters are incensed by a new bill requiring citizens to have a pass showing proof of vaccination or a negative COVID test result to enter restaurants and other public areas. The legislation was passed by the lower house of parliament on Friday, but is still being debated in the Senate.

The French demonstrators shouted slogans such as “No to the pass of the shame”, while other protesters carried placards calling Macron a “tyrant.” 

The protesters clashed with police in the French capital, with authorities deploying tear gas and water cannons on marchers. French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin condemned violence towards police and said nine people have been arrested.

Coronavirus cases have spiked in France over the past few weeks, with the government looking at new policies to prevent the spread of infection. The government recently made vaccinations compulsory for all health workers.

Demonstrators rally across Italy

Thousands of protesters rallied across Italy on Saturday, from the major city of Turin in the north to Naples in the south.

The demonstrators are also angered by a government certificate requiring vaccination, proof of recovery or a negative test result to participate in public life. The protesters chanted phrases such as “Freedom!” and “Down with the dictatorship!”

This certificate, known as the “Green Pass”, will be mandatory from August 6. Italians will need to show the certificate if they want to partake in indoor dining or enter museums, gyms and other public venues.

Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi defended the move due to the spread of the delta variant.

“The delta variant is even more of a threat than the other variants,” Draghi said Friday.

“The Green Pass is not arbitrary, but a necessary condition not to shut down the economy. Without vaccinations, everything will have to close again,” the Italian leader added.

Greeks protest in central Athens

In Greece, around 4,000 people protested outside of the Greek parliament in central Athens against mandatory vaccinations.

Police used tear gas on some of the protesters. One Greek official told Reuters news agency that some of the demonstrators were throwing petrol bombs.

Similar demonstrations have previously occurred in other European countries such as Germany, which is the home of the Querdenker (lateral thinkers) anti-lockdown movement.

In August of last year, anti-lockdown protesters in Berlin attempted to storm Germany’s parliament building, with the act drawing widespread condemnation from political leaders.

Source: Deutsche Welle

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Since March 2020, this is the 9^th EU Civil Protection Mechanism operation responding to Serbian needs to fight Covid-19. The overall amount of assistance mobilised from the EU for Serbia through this mechanism reaches today more than 7 million Euros. These funds served so far largely to deliver protective masks and other protective gear to Serbia which were later being used in hospitals and by police services and in the public administration.

Today’s delivery constitutes another rapid reaction of the EU to Serbian needs in the fight against Covid 19. Overall the EU has mobilised more than 66 million Euros for Serbia for the immediate response against Covid 19 and will invest much more to support the economy, in particular small and medium sized enterprises.

What is the EU Civil Protection Mechanism?

The EU Civil Protection Mechanism facilitates cooperation in emergency response, preparation and prevention between Member States, as well as several other European countries. Serbia became a member of the Mechanism in 2015, but even before that, during the devastating floods in May 2014, Serbia felt the benefits of European solidarity through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism. This operation has been one of the largest since the Mechanism was established, and since its inception in 2001, the Mechanism has responded to over 330 requests for assistance inside and outside the EU.

Source: europa.rs

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At this morning’s meeting in Brussels, ambassadors of EU Member States supported the position that Serbia has a “satisfactory epidemiological situation” which enables its citizens to travel to EU Member States without restrictions.

Apart from Serbia, the countries that have been placed on the list of safe countries are North Macedonia, Albania, the United States of America, Lebanon and Taiwan.

This expanded list should start to be implemented officially on 18 June.

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After the session held in the Palace of Serbia, Gojkovic said that according to the recommendations, all retail stores will be able to work without restrictions, non-stop, that catering facilities that are open will have unlimited working hours, while working hours indors are still limited until one o’clock after midnight.

According to him, music is now allowed in these facilities, which is additional relaxation.

He stated that the recommendation of the crisis response team is to allow the presence of the public at stadiums and all sporting events, with a capacity of up to 50 percent occupancy, and in halls or indoor spaces will be up to 30 percent capacity, with all anti-epidemic measures.

Measures have also been relaxed when it comes to gathering people, so that from now on, up to 500 people will be able to be indoors and outdoors, Gojković explained.

Anyone who is planning any kind of gathering where more than 500 visitors are planned cannot do so without the consent of the crisis response team, he underlined and added that graduation celebrations are allowed.

Also, as he reported, today it was recommended to the government to relax conducting recreational classes and excursions, with the consent of the Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development and the competent institutions.

The epidemiological situation is stable, we have had a stagnation of the number of newly infected for a long period, and the situation in hospitals is satisfactory, Gojkovic underlined.

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The button that set in motion the tape from which the vials filled at Torlak will be coming out was pressed by Director of Torlak Vera Stoiljkovic, by which Serbia has become the first country in Europe to produce the Russian vaccine.

Vucic stated that owing to efforts of Russian scientists and with great support from President Putin, we are witnessing today a great step forward that Serbia is making in the fight against COVID-19.

According to him, a generous transfer of knowledge and technologies, which Serbia is the first to receive outside Russia, will have a concrete result as of today – the production of the Sputnik V vaccine in Serbia.

After three validation series, we are now starting an organised serial production of four million doses of the Sputnik V vaccine, Vucic said and congratulated the Russian Direct Investment Fund, the Russian pharmaceutical company Generium and our Torlak on extremely fast and high-quality cooperation.

Addressing the officials, Stoiljkovic pointed out that Serbia was one of the first countries to start immunisation with this vaccine and that thanks to its high efficiency of 96.6 percent, we preserved the health of citizens.

Today, Serbia is among the leaders in Europe in terms of the number of vaccinated citizens,  of whom 30% is fully vaccinated, which is twice the European average.

Apart from Serbia, the production of the Russian vaccine starts in Argentina too, and Argentinian President Alberto Fernandez addressed the public on that occasion.

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