In the Vitebsk region, the Red Cross helped 524 pensioners get vaccinated against coronavirus in October

Since the beginning of October, during the Red Cross vaccination campaign in rural regions, over 520 people over 60 years old from five districts of the Vitebsk region have been vaccinated against COVID-19.

In the Vitebsk region, the pilot regions where the "COVID Vaccination (Initial Stage)" project is being implemented are Shumilinsky, Senno, Vitebsk, Gluboksky, and Lepelsky districts. Here, Red Cross volunteers, together with medical professionals, travel to remote villages, inform pensioners about ways to protect themselves from COVID-19, and immediately transport those willing to get vaccinated against the dangerous virus to vaccination points. "Since ambulance crews are under considerable strain, we are assisting with transportation. In nearby districts – Vitebsk, Senno, and Shumilinsky – we provide a vehicle from the regional organization. In more remote districts, we have entered into agreements with transport companies, and we pay for their services to deliver residents of rural settlements to the vaccination site. Since the beginning of October, with the help of Red Cross volunteers, 524 people over 60 years old have been vaccinated. This is one of the most vulnerable categories of citizens who need to be protected from coronavirus," noted Galina Zhelanova, Chairperson of the Vitebsk Regional Organization of the Belarusian Red Cross Society.

For this work, the regional Red Cross organization trained 45 volunteers, conducting trainings and seminars for them. They were taught how to provide first aid if necessary to people being transported for vaccination, and how to protect themselves: this includes adhering to mask regulations, hygiene standards, and respiratory etiquette. Each volunteer entered into an agreement with the organization and received medical insurance.

Galina Zhelanova also spoke about the organization's information and education work. "Volunteers at vaccination points distribute leaflets and memos for pensioners. These materials cover symptoms that may occur after vaccination, when to come for the second dose, and how to protect oneself in the post-vaccination period," noted the regional organization's chairperson.

"BELTA"