Russians flock to Serbia for Western-made Covid-19 vaccines

When Russian regulators approved the countryrsquos homegrown Coronavirus vaccine it was a moment of national pride and the Pavlov family was among those who rushed to take the injection But international health authorities have not yet given their blessing to the Sputnik V shotSo when the family from RostovonDon wanted to visit the West they looked for a vaccine that would allow them to travel freelymdasha quest that brought them to Serbia where hundreds of Russian citizens have flocked in recent weeks to receive Westernapproved Covid19 shotsSerbia which is not a member of the European Union is a convenient choice for vaccineseeking Russians because they can enter the allied Balkan nation without visas and because it offers a wide choice of Westernmade shots Organised tours for Russians have soared and they can be spotted in the capital Belgrade at hotels restaurants and bars ldquoWe took the Pfizer vaccine because we want to travel around the worldrdquo Nadezhda Pavlova 54 said after receiving the vaccine last weekendVaccination tour packages for Russians seeking shots endorsed by the World Health Organisation appeared on the market in midSeptember according to Russiarsquos Association of Tour Operators Maya Lomidze the grouprsquos executive director said prices start at 300 to 700 depending on whatrsquos includedLauded by Russian President Vladimir Putin as the worldrsquos first registered Covid19 vaccine Sputnik V emerged in August 2020 and has been approved in some 70 countries including SerbiaAustralia plans to bring intrsquol healthcare workers to fight CovidThe Australian government on Saturday revealed a plan to bring thousands of international healthcare workers into the country to relieve pressure on the healthcare system amid the ongoing battle against the third wave of the Covid19 pandemicAn Australian police officer stops an antimasker at a rally PicAFPUnder the plan which was announced by Health Minister Greg Hunt about 2000 doctors and nurses mainly from Britain and Ireland will be exempted from strict travel restrictions to take up jobs in Australia as the countryrsquos international border is expected to reopen in NovemberHunt described it as a ldquooneoff boostrdquo for the health system after he rejected a plea from state and territory governments for more hospital funding to cope with a surge in Coronavirus cases ldquoThis will be a oneoff boost to provide additional support The Commonwealth is committed to it and the states are working constructively with us on itrdquo he told the local mediaKenya receives 8 lakh doses of AstraZenecaKenya has received 160000 doses of AstraZeneca from Slovakia as well as 700000 doses of the vaccine from France and Germany donated through the COVAX Facility Henriette Geiger Head of Delegation of the EU to Kenya said Team Europe has from the start shown vaccine solidarity with Kenya and the world and has always allowed the export of vaccines to middle and lowerincome countries Kenyarsquos Covid19 positivity rate is now at 28 per cent238101394TOTAL Number OF CORONAVIRUSCASES IN THE WORLD4859621Number OF DEATHS WORLDWIDE215242674Number OF RECOVERED PATIENTSThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever