Vaccination campaign entitled “Let’s get together!” For safety and health “
According to Minister Poklukar, Omicron has virtually supplanted Delta in just over 14 days, and it no longer makes sense to count cases, as all confirmed infections are very likely to be Omicron infections. Microbiologists and virologists say they have never seen such dominance of one variant over another.
“We do not yet know exactly what this highly contagious variant will bring to our hospitals. And that worries me the most. The fact is that we are entering a period we have not yet experienced in this pandemic. So in the coming weeks our society and economy faced with very special organizational challenges, as the virus floods the country due to its virulence, “the minister explained.
Prior to the new year, Minister Poklukar was in contact with the competent minister regarding the smooth operation of critical infrastructure. Measures have been taken to limit proliferation under the most pessimistic scenario. Minister Poklukar also met with representatives of health centers and told them that they would have to consider how to ensure the operation of critical 24-hour services. Staff rotation should be introduced so that in the event of a mass infection, the on-duty team is always on standby. The same letter was also sent to hospitals, test providers and laboratories. In addition, they had to check their stocks of mandatory protective equipment. It has also been observed that international supply chains are collapsing and suppliers are starting to cancel contracts. At the meeting with Slovenian mayors, the Minister called on all present to pay attention to the critical infrastructure in their local communities. It should also ensure that staff teams can stay at home in the event of a mass infection. Representatives of the economy and chambers of commerce gathered in Brdo pri Kranju on Thursday to present the epidemiological forecast and measures to prevent economic damage due to infections and quarantine. At some point, up to 400,000 people could be quarantined at a time. On Friday, the work of the Ministry of Health was presented as an example of work from home; the ministry had a 28 per cent turnout on Friday and 27 per cent today.
Today, 572 people are in hospital, of which 157 are in intensive care and 236 need oxygen. Two patients, aged 42 and 58, respectively, need EKMO. 73% of unvaccinated patients are in the unit, and 85% of unvaccinated patients are in intensive care. The average age of patients in the unit is 67.5 years, and the average age of intensive care patients is 62 years. The youngest person in intensive care is 18 years old.
Vaccination remains the number one measure. Vaccinated and healed have protection in the body, our immune system has a memory. Therefore, we can successfully fight the virus and in most cases do not need hospitalization. This is evidenced by our daily data: 73% of patients in conventional units and 85% of patients in intensive care are not vaccinated. Unvaccinated people are much more likely to have a severe course of the disease. In addition, the unvaccinated are much more at risk of long-term COVID or post-COVID syndrome, which will have long-term consequences for the health system. Long-term symptoms of COVID include fatigue, shortness of breath, lung problems, cognitive and mental changes, disorders of smell, taste and other organs, and often have a significant negative impact on a person’s quality of life.
VACCINATION ACTION
We entered the fifth wave of the coronavirus epidemic with far too little vaccination, overcrowded hospitals and exhausted staff. I called on everyone to get vaccinated at every opportunity, both in private life and in your health minister. The decision to vaccinate is yours. I can take COVID-19 on my own and I have been vaccinated three times. My wife and my children have also been vaccinated. I will do everything in my power to bring vaccination closer to every individual and vaccinations for all, “said Minister Poklukar.
Therefore, the Ministry of Health from Thursday to Saturday, January 13 to January 15, 2022, is launching a new vaccination campaign under the motto Let’s get together! For safety and health. During these three days, all vaccination centers will be open from 8.00 to 20.00, no appointment is required. Vaccination will also be organized in COVID hospitals. Local communities, the Association of Pensioners’ Organizations of Slovenia, companies and non-governmental organizations will, in cooperation with the Vaccination Center, the Civil Protection of Slovenia and the Red Cross, organize mobile units if necessary.
Our goal remains the same: to vaccinate as many people as possible with the first, second or third dose. Each person and each dose of vaccine counts. The decision to get vaccinated is a decision for health and to return to life that we knew before March 2020. With the growing version of Omicron, this message is all the more relevant.
Slovenian healthcare is trying to remain operational under the burden of the coronavirus. Nevertheless, primary health care has once again shown with great effort its determination to organize and ensure vaccination as much as possible. Private individuals, dentists, local communities, civil protection and the Red Cross will reunite to help. There will be press conferences this week to bring news of the vaccination campaign to every village. “Dear media representatives, you have a key role to play in informing, so I ask you once again to do your best and inform the widest possible audience,” explained Minister Poklukar.
He also spoke briefly about all the upcoming changes regarding vaccinated certificates and the regulation of vaccination status. The unlimited validity of the COVID certificate will only be valid until the end of January. From 1 February, its validity will be limited to nine months. Vaccination remains the best protection against the development of severe disease after COVID infection and against hospitalization. Last week, the Slovenian National Immunization Advisory Committee recommended a booster dose three months after vaccination. “Therefore, I kindly ask you to take part in the vaccination campaign and avoid the queues at the vaccination centers, which are expected to accumulate at the end of January,” concluded Minister Poklukar.
Scientist professor dr. Franc Strle explained that the Omicron variant is extremely contagious and that its incubation period is very short. By following simple measures such as keeping a safe distance from others, avoiding staying indoors too long, maintaining proper ventilation, and taking personal measures such as hand and cough hygiene and wearing masks, we can prevent the virus from spreading. The most important thing is to get vaccinated.