The vaccination campaign against COVID-19 in Moldova begins today, March 2. At this first stage, the medical staff from the resuscitation and intensive care units, as well as the staff from the hospital departments with COVID-19 profile will be vaccinated. The first person immunized in Moldova is Alexandru Botezatu, head of the Anesthesia and Intensive Care Department, Republican Clinical Hospital Timofei Moşneaga.

The vaccination campaign starts after over 21,000 doses of vaccine arrived in Chișinău on Saturday, February 27, donated by Romania through the European Union Civil Protection Mechanism.

After receiving the vaccine, Alexandru Botezatu said that it is “A slight sensation and, I don’t feel any pain.

“Finally, there is hope in this dark tunnel. My colleagues are eager to get vaccinated. There is an order for that. They are optimistic and have good and hopeful thoughts. After the vaccination, the 15 minutes recommended by the specialists have passed and I feel very well. The sensation is good,” said the doctor.

As for the citizens’ unwillingness to vaccinate, the doctor advises them not to be so, because the vaccine is “lifesaving in this pandemic.”

“The unwillingness will disappear starting today. I recommend people not to be afraid, vaccines being one of the few ways of help in this pandemic. I recommend people to continue to be careful because we have not escaped the pandemic”, the doctor added.

The second person vaccinated is Iana Cotorcea, head of the department at the Republican Clinical Hospital Timofei Moşneaga.

“I feel good and happy that the vaccine has finally arrived in Moldova. I’m not afraid of side effects. I trust the vaccine we received,” commented Iana Cotorcea.