The Head of the EU Delegation to Serbia, Ambassador Sem Fabrizi, received the first dose of the vaccine today at the Institute of Public Health of Serbia “Dr Milan Jovanovic-Batut” together with other Members of the EU Delegation, as a part of the action of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs which envisages immunisation of all foreign diplomats accredited in Serbia.
“The vaccine we received today is an important step for each of us personally and collectively in the fight against the pandemic. Vaccination is safe and it is the only way we can truly fight this virus. It is a triumph of science and medicine. Our belief in science and the appropriate actions we are taking are the way we are fighting Covid 19. Science mad a giant leap forward in a very short period, so is the industries which are under pressure to produce the vaccines for all.
Now is our turn as individual and society to do our part. No one will be entirely safe until everyone will be vaccinated. The European Union has stood closely by Serbia since the outbreak of the pandemic, and it will continue to do so during the vaccination phase. Everyone must have access to the vaccine, and we will continue to play our part in achieving that goal.
The vaccination campaign of Serbia is truly outstanding and I want to welcome it and congratulate Serbia for this achievement. I am also paying my respect to all the health workers in Serbia, who are everyday on the frontlines. They are true heroes. I am glad that the EU was also able to help hiring 200 additional Serbian health workers – many of them part of the vaccination campaigns – during the last six months ” , said Ambassador Fabrizi.
“I would like to say that unity in controlling COVID 19, not only in Serbia, but also in Europe and around the world, is key to the implementation of preventive measures. It is a great honour and pleasure for me that this act continues to support and cooperate with the EU Delegation in the most efficient way and I want to thank for the support that young people who have just finished medicine and who are now helping in the vaccination process get the opportunity,” said the Director of Institute “Batut” Verica Jovanovic.
“At this moment, we really need solidarity and unity to defeat this vicious disease all over the world. No one will be safe until everyone is well. I would like to thank Ambassador Fabrizi for supporting the vaccination process in Serbia and to thank you for everything you have done so far, in terms of donations in the fight against COVID 19”, said State Secretary at the Ministry of Health Mirsad Djerlek.
The European Union has to date donated more than 17 million Euros to Serbia for purchasing of PPE, containers, ventilators, and various other medical materials, including for the vaccination campaign (particularly deep freezers, special equipped vehicles). Since September 2020, the EU has hired 200 Serbian health workers who have taken care of more than a million patients in Serbia to date, including testing, vaccination, treatment, transportation, hospitalisation. The EU-funded staff have been involved in more than 280,000 vaccinations.
Special EU funds for the free purchase of vaccines are being established.
