The Armenian Ministry of Health reports that, to date, some 600 people have been vaccinated against the coronavirus in the country.

Minster of Health Anahit Avanesyan, at today’s parliamentary session, did not specify which vaccine had been given, but most probably it’s the Russian Sputnik-V. (The Ministry of Health, in January, announced that it would purchase the Astra Zeneca vaccine. However, given recent concerns regarding the vaccine, the sale was postponed until further testing was done.)

On January 20, Armenia’s National Center for Disease Control and Prevention hosted a meeting of the Republican Advisory Committee on Immunization during which issues related to the upcoming vaccinations against coronavirus and the priorities of risk groups were discussed. The following will be vaccinated first:

Residents and staff of nursing homes, Health workers, Care center staff, People 65 years and older, Patients aged 16 to 64 years with chronic ailments.

In the second stage, the following will be vaccinated: Lecturers, teachers, Employees of the Ministry of Emergency Situations, Servicemen, Justice sector staff, Public transport employees, Civil servants.

Vaccines will be purchased for only 10% of the population in Armenia. Others will have to pay for the vaccine.