More than 10,000 people in Estonia have received 1st dose of coronavirus vaccine

  • 2021-01-10
  • BNS/TBT Staff

TALLINN – In the first two weeks of vaccination, 10,197 people have received the first dose of coronavirus vaccine at 100 healthcare facilities in Estonia.

The first dose has been given to most of the staff of family medicine centers, approximately 30 percent of the staff of the hospitals in the hospital network, as well as the staff and residents of the first care homes, the Ministry of Social Affairs said.

Altogether 2,225 people were vaccinated on Friday. Over the two weeks, 100 healthcare providers have carried out vaccinations, including 71 family medicine institutions -- where the majority of employees of all Estonian family medicine centers have been vaccinated -- 21 hospitals, two ambulance services, three specialized medical care institutions and three nursing care institutions.

"Although the first vaccine supplies have been smaller than expected, the vast majority of the staff of family medicine centers, approximately 30 percent of the staff of hospital network development plan hospitals, as well as residents and staff in first care homes, have now been administered the first dose. Vaccination of care home staff and residents, as well as patients in hospital nursing care departments, will be a priority in the coming weeks, as these people are at very high risk of needing hospital treatment if infected. Vaccination of healthcare workers will also continue," Minister of Social Affairs Tanel Kiik said. "Our healthcare system has thoroughly prepared for vaccination, healthcare professionals have undergone the necessary refresher training and have successfully started with this alongside daily treatment. COVID-19 vaccination has gone smoothly and is gradually expanding to healthcare institutions across Estonia."

Vaccination will also continue over the weekend. Healthcare institutions have already placed 5,345 vaccine orders with the Health Board for Monday, which will be used mainly during the first days of next week. The next delivery of the Pfizer/BioNTech Comirnaty vaccine, which is 9,750 doses, is expected to arrive in Estonia on Monday, and on Wednesday, a 1,200-dose delivery of the Moderna vaccine is to arrive.

"The currently known vaccine deliveries will make it possible to start vaccinating people at risk due to old age or health issues at family medicine centers at the end of January and mainly in the coming months. We can provide more detailed information on vaccination of risk groups within a few weeks, once we have received updated numbers of vaccine quantities arriving in Estonia. People at risk will be contacted gradually, people do not have to turn to anyone themselves," Kiik added.