1.2 mln people in Kyrgyzstan to be vaccinated for COVID-19 under COVAX program

Bishkek, Jan. 21, 2021. /Kabar/. Kyrgyzstan has a preliminary estimate of how many people will be vaccinated for COVID-19 coronavirus infection as part of its participation in the global vaccine availability program (COVAX). Head of the Public Health Department of the Kyrgyz Health Ministry Ainura Akmatova told at a news briefing that 1.2 million people have been identified for vaccination, which is 20% of the total population. According to her, the issue of gradual vaccination is currently under consideration. "Medical workers and people who are or work in an area of high risk will be vaccinated first," she noted. Akmatova recalled that Kyrgyzstan participates in the global COVAX mechanism, with nine vaccine candidates and nine more in the preliminary evaluation stage. "Countries participating in the COVAX program have received documents on the Pfizer vaccine. This vaccine is appropriate for countries with the ability to provide a cold chain of minus 70 degrees," the representative of the Health Ministry concluded.