Mikhail Mishustin’s opening remarks
Report by Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin on the start of vaccinations against COVID-19 in Moscow
Report by Mikhail Murashko on preparations in the healthcare system for the start of large-scale vaccinations
Government Coordination Council meeting on controlling the incidence of the novel coronavirus infection in the Russian Federation
Excerpts from the transcript:
Mikhail Mishustin: Good afternoon!
Mikhail Mishustin’s opening remarks at the Government Coordination Council meeting on controlling the incidence of the novel coronavirus infection in the Russian Federation
The President has instructed us to begin the large-scale vaccination of medical workers and teachers against the coronavirus in all regions of the Russian Federation this week. The rules for delivering medications to the regions will be endorsed tomorrow on my instruction.
At our meeting with the vaccine producers we discussed in detail the preparations for vaccination and measures that must provide for the manufacture of medications in sufficient amounts and their delivery to the regions without mishaps and on time.
The Ministry of Health must endorse a schedule for vaccine delivery to the regions and the plan for its distribution.
I would like to ask region’s heads to prepare the required infrastructure and ensure the delivery of medications to all vaccination stations and organise the logistics, including bringing people in from remote areas to the vaccination stations. In addition, it is necessary to start briefing medical workers and teachers on free vaccination options and procedures.
Today, the entire healthcare system and, of course, ambulance services are carrying a heavy load. Some regions do not have enough vehicles. The Government is helping them expand their fleets on the President’s instruction. Over 180 ambulances will soon be purchased for the Kirov, Pskov and Tula regions, as well as Chuvashia and the Krasnodar Territory. All these vehicles must be delivered to the regions before the end of this year. This instruction has been given to the Ministry of Industry.
Let’s begin our discussion. I would like to ask Mayor Sergei Sobyanin to take the floor. Vaccination has already been launched in Moscow. Please tell us how this is organised and how many people have already been vaccinated.
Sergei Sobyanin: Good afternoon, esteemed Mr Mishustin, Colleagues,
Indeed, on the President’s instructions and with the approval of the Government of the Russian Federation we have started the rollout of our large-scale vaccination system. This experience is very important and essential.
The e-record of the risk groups was launched on December 4. This group primarily includes healthcare, education and social services workers. Vaccination centres were opened on Saturday and Sunday; about 2,000 people were vaccinated at these centres. We have reviewed and checked the entire system, which is basically in combat mode: the storehouses, the cold delivery of medications, the thawing technology and inoculations. I believe the whole system is ready for larger-scale vaccination. Now it’s up to the vaccine developers and producers.
Mr Mishustin, I would like to thank you for keeping this in the focus of your attention. I would also like to thank my colleagues, all those who are dealing with this major problem. I hope we will be receiving greater amounts of the vaccine in the next few weeks. And, of course, we will expand the risk groups by including more people on the priority inoculation lists.
The situation remains complicated. We are seeing the COVID epidemic increase in all the main parameters. At the same time, I must say that the Moscow healthcare system is working consistently. We have about 5,000 beds in reserve for coronavirus patients. This is an adequate margin of safety to be convinced that in the next few weeks and months we will be able to ensure the required access to medical treatment without any substantial changes in elective care or emergency medical assistance.
Still, today the vaccination is the main solution to this problem that we have been fighting for the last nine or ten months.
Mikhail Mishustion: Thank you. Mr Sobyanin. I hope Moscow will not only continue this work but will also share its experience with its colleagues. I would like to ask the regional governors to make use of this experience in your vaccination plans.
Mr Murashko (addressing Mikhail Murashko), please tell us about the provision of medical care in the regions and the preparations of the medical healthcare system for the start of large-scale vaccination against the coronavirus.
Mikhail Murashko: Esteemed Mr Mishustin, Colleagues,
Our specialists have established a full logistics chain for vaccine delivery and produced a logistics map for the whole country with vaccination centres. The latter contains clear-cut information on every region and vaccinating centre.
Vaccines have been included in the list of vital medications with registered maximum pricing. During today’s teleconference, our specialists shared their vaccination programme experience, the peculiarities and the response of patients to it, to inform our medical workers of safe procedures for using this new medication.
Mikhail Mishustin: Thank you, Mr Murashko.
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