Enhanced and more visible campaign for vaccination against coronavirus needed
Monitored municipalities: Veles, Kriva Palanka, Sveti Nikole, Negotino
Key findings
• The turnout of citizens for vaccination is relatively low and is far from the required 80% to achieve collective immunity.
• As of December 7, the largest number of fully vaccinated persons is in Negotino (with Demir Kapija) – 54.2%, followed by Veles (with Gradsko and Caska) – 41.2% and Kriva Palanka (with Rankovce) – 38.5% .
• The lowest response is in Sveti Nikole where only 36.4% of the population is immunized.
• Regarding the patients with COVID-19, the highest number of infected and active cases as of December 7 is in Veles.
• Negotino is among the six municipalities in the country with the highest cumulative incidence, which in this area is 13,523.
• Kriva Palanka is among the four municipalities in the country with the highest mortality rate – 452.2.
Recommendations
A larger and more visible immunization campaign is needed, both nationally and locally.
Greater involvement of local governments in the promotion of immunization and protective measures against COVID-19.
Strengthen cooperation between local authorities and local communities to encourage vaccination among the local population.
It is necessary to establish a mechanism for availability and exchange of comprehensive information on COVID-19 and vaccination in the municipalities, between the local health institutions and the Ministry of Health.
Greater involvement of the local media (information, debates, interviews) about COVID-19 and vaccination.
Greater effectiveness of family doctors in promoting the importance of immunization and encouraging the immunization process.
Continuation of the field vaccination for greater access to remote rural areas and vulnerable categories of citizens.
The monitoring was carried out within the project “Active Citizens and Participatory Democracy at the Local Level”, financially supported by the International Center Olof Palme from Sweden.
Read the full report Municipal Administrations and COVID-19 Vaccination
