Nearly 51,000 people in Moldova have received booster shots of coronavirus vaccines to date. While the vaccination rate has slightly dropped compared to last week, in December almost twice as many vaccines have been administered as in the previous month. This was stated by Public Health Agency director Nicolae Jelamschi at a press conference.

Since the beginning of the immunization campaign on March 2, over 1.7 million doses of vaccines have been administered in Moldova. In the 50th week of the year, 34,000 people were vaccinated, almost 6% fewer than in the same period last week.

“On the Omicron variant, no information is available on any changes in how the virus is transmitted; the same transmission patterns are exhibited as for other variants. However, according to studies, the Omicron reproduces much faster than the Delta variant and, according to the latest publications, is up to 70 times more contagious than the Delta. Today there are insufficient data to assess the severity of the disease caused by the Omicron. There is an increase in the number of Omicron cases in Europe and deaths due to this variant”, said Nicolae Jelamschi.

Next week a sequencing effort will be carried out to find out what versions circulate in Moldova.

“Studies show that vaccination is effective, including against the Omicron variant. We have 760,000 doses of vaccines available today, which is enough to administer the first dose, the second one and the booster. We urge all those who haven’t gotten vaccinated to do so,” said Nicolae Jelamschi.

The share of the fully vaccinated population in Moldova is 28.42%. Chisinau leads with 42% and the Gagauz autonomy is at the bottom with 17%.