prijava
BIHAĆ, August 27 (FENA) - The first session of COVID-19 vaccination in which a total of 157 migrants received the first dose of the vaccine, at the temporary reception centers Borići in Bihać, Miral in Velika Kladuša and reception center Lipa in the area of the Una-Sana Canton, has been successfully completed.
This process was preceded by educational workshops on the importance and the process of immunization, as well as the survey among beneficiaries. The Public Health Institute of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina allocated AstraZeneca vaccines, while the International Organization for Migration - IOM and the Danish Refugee Council, within the project supported by European Union, enabled vaccine application services, as well as the doctors who have monitored their health after the vaccination.
"We are very satisfied with the first steps taken and we will continue to advocate for the immunization of the remaining persons residing in centers across BiH. It is important that we are not alone in this, that we cooperate with international humanitarian organizations and health authorities in our country, in accordance with the recommendations of the World Health Organization. We hope that we will have new vaccines at our disposal for the migrant population that resides in other parts of BiH," said Slobodan Ujić, Director of the Service for Foreigners Affairs.
In the Borići center, 41 persons were vaccinated, in Miral 30, while the first dose of the vaccine was given to 86 persons in the reception center Lipa. Following the medical examination, it was established that 13 persons who expressed their wish for vaccination, at that moment due to other health problems, were not able to receive the vaccine, which will be done later, after the improvement of their health condition.
“Together with partner organizations and health authorities in BiH, we have made it possible for the migrant population to be included in official immunization plans because we think this is the only correct way to preserve the health, of both migrants and the local population. We will continue with educational workshops in reception centers, and we will strengthen awareness of the importance of immunization. We will also additionally increase health capacities for the benefit of all people who live or currently reside in BiH," said Verica Rečević, DRC Head of Program.
The Ministry of Health, Labor and Social Policy of the Una-Sana Canton and the Institute of Public Health of the Una-Sana Canton have consistently advocated for immunization of migrants and have actively supported the immunization of the first group of migrants in the Una-Sana Canton area, stated the Danish Refugee Council.
(FENA) S. R.
