On March 19, the appointment platform will open for Group A high-risk individuals, estimated to number 215,000, announced Marios Themistokleous, Secretary General of Primary Health Care, during a briefing on the National Vaccination Plan for COVID-19.
Mr. Themistokleous also noted that 28,000 vaccinations have been administered so far today, bringing the total number of vaccinations to more than 1,300,000. He noted that 890,000 people have received their first dose. He added that as of this afternoon, 6,684 of the 7,815 scheduled vaccination appointments had been completed.
M. Theodoridou: There is not enough evidence to incriminate such a useful vaccine
The National Vaccination Committee’s unanimous decision to continue the vaccination campaign with the AstraZeneca vaccine as usual in our country—a decision reached following its second meeting today— was explained tonight during the regular briefing by the chair of the Vaccination Committee, Professor Maria Theodoridou.
«She unanimously concluded that there is no reason to amend her proposal,» Ms. Theodoridou reiterated, adding that the vaccination campaign in Greece with the AstraZeneca vaccine is continuing steadily and with confidence.
Several doctors report that some people, out of fear of thromboembolic events, take anticoagulants before getting vaccinated, Ms. Theodoridou pointed out, emphasizing, however, that this is a mistake and urging them to come in for vaccination without taking any special precautions.
Speaking about the «domino effect» of temporary suspensions of AstraZeneca vaccinations in several European countries due to a possible link to thromboembolic events, noted that the EMA and the WHO, which have access to all the data, have ruled out a causal link to thromboembolic events. «There is no evidence to incriminate such a useful vaccine,» Ms. Theodoridou stated.
As he said, the number of thromboembolic events reported among those who had been vaccinated was no higher than the number reported in the general population. ’Their occurrence may be a coincidence and not necessarily related to the vaccine,« he noted, adding that the committee, in collaboration with the National Organization for Medicines (EOF), gives the highest priority to vaccine safety issues.
Concluding the discussion on the AstraZeneca vaccine, he said that the EMA is reviewing the reported cases of side effects one by one, and its decisions are expected on Thursday, when it is scheduled to meet.
Referring to the progress of the vaccination campaign in our country, Ms. Theodoridou said that after the age criterion, it will be time to open up appointments for the most vulnerable groups in the first category as well. She emphasized that it is very difficult to identify these patients, as the process is carried out through the IDIKA system based on the medications they are prescribed. These are the following categories of patients, as she explained, listing the conditions they suffer from.
TRANSPLANTATION
Transplantation of solid organs or hematopoietic cells. ‘People on the waiting list for an organ transplant”
KIDNEY FAILURE
Undergoing hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis
CYSTIC FIBROSIS
CANCER UNDER TREATMENT
Solid organ cancer in individuals undergoing treatment (chemotherapy, radiation therapy, immunotherapy, or other treatment)
Blood cancer over the past five years.
SERIOUS CHRONIC RESPIRATORY DISEASES
Chronic respiratory disease for which home oxygen therapy is used (based on certification by an insurance provider)
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease with FEV1 < 30% treated according to a therapeutic protocol
Interstitial lung disease
SERIOUS HEART DISEASE
Recent acute myocardial infarction (within the last three months)
Heart failure with an ejection fraction <40% treated according to a therapeutic protocol (including cardiomyopathies, congenital heart diseases, valvular heart disease)
Pulmonary Hypertension
SEVERE LIVER DISEASE
Liver failure with portal hypertension, liver cirrhosis with portal hypertension
IMMUNOSUPPRESSION
Autoinflammatory/autoimmune conditions or other diseases requiring moderate- to high-risk immunosuppressive or immunomodulatory therapy
Primary immunodeficiencies and HIV with CD4 < 200 cells/μL
OTHER DISEASES
Down's syndrome
‘Other special circumstances, upon request by the attending physician.”.
Details and additional information regarding Category A vulnerable groups have already been posted on emvoliogov.gr, he said.
