FBiH Government Adopts New Measures: Increase Number of Vaccination Points, VTP Rule Introduced

SARAJEVO, (Patria) - Prime Minister of FBiH Fadil Novalić, Deputy Prime Minister and Federal Minister of Finance Jelka Milićević, Deputy Prime Minister and Federal Minister of Labour and Social Policy Vesko Drljača, representatives of the Federal Ministry of Health and the acting director of the FBiH Public Health Institute, today, via video link from the headquarters of the Federal Government in Sarajevo, discussed the epidemiological situation in the Federation of BiH and future activities with cantonal prime ministers, health ministers, and representatives of cantonal health institutes.
 
At the meeting, held at the initiative of the federal prime minister, it was stated that the situation in the Federation of BiH is not satisfactory, and a consensus was reached to introduce new measures.

- We will start with the first new measures tomorrow, meaning we will strengthen those we have had so far when it comes to immunization, and vaccination points in health centers must be open at least three times a week until 8 PM. Mobile teams and plans must be made for visits to all rural areas, as well as places like educational institutions, public institutions, factories, where we have more than 30 employees. It is important to open vaccination points at public gathering places at least once or twice a week, similar to what already exists in Sarajevo City Center - said Goran Čerkez, assistant to the Federal Minister of Health.

A decision was also made for Bosnia and Herzegovina to follow the practices of normalizing life as introduced by many European and neighboring countries, which means the "vaccinated-tested-recovered" (VTP) rule.

- The introduction of this rule will be gradual and will start at the end of December. Until then, the other prerequisites will be completed. This is an important step, and it will apply to all public officials, social and health institutions, then firefighters, police, and education. We cannot remain isolated given the current situation - said Čerkez.

The meeting also discussed the creation of all prerequisites for the introduction of QR codes.

- We expect this to be completed by the end of the year or the beginning of next year. In this regard, we expect the support of the BiH Ministry of Civil Affairs, as it is the only body recognized internationally - added Čerkez.

Speaking about COVID passports, he said that the first prerequisite is being implemented, which is for all cantons to create their electronic databases, and that four to five cantons have done so far, with others expected to follow.

The second topic of the meeting was vaccination coverage, which remains extremely low in the Federation of BiH, and data shows that we are last in the region in this regard, it was emphasized after the meeting.

- The fact that almost 90 percent of unvaccinated people are in hospitals speaks volumes about the importance of vaccination and the need for a proactive approach at the local level - said Marina Bera, assistant to the Federal Minister of Health.

Siniša Skočibušić, acting director of the FBiH Public Health Institute, confirmed that there are sufficient vaccines of all types in FBiH.

- We will have to introduce measures to encourage people to get vaccinated. In this phase of the worsening fourth wave of the pandemic, when we have a significant number of people dying from COVID at the Federation level, we must pay attention to hygiene and physical distancing, but we will have to do much more by New Year's - warned Skočibušić.