"Do not allow the coronavirus to rob another day from us, take the vaccine, help us all return to normal life," Serbia s Health Minister Mirsad Djerlek told young people.

According to Serbia s Health Minister Mirsad Djerlek, the goal of achieving 50 per cent immunisation is nearly in sight, but it is difficult to say exactly when herd immunity will be achieved in the country. As he said, a great social responsibility rests with younger people to continue the immunisation process.

„Don t let the coronavirus rob another day from us, take your destiny into your own hands, get the vaccine, help us get back to normal life so we can travel in the summer, hold concerts, and live life normally,” the health minister said to young people.

He added that the aim is to involve as many municipalities as possible in promoting the vaccination campaign.

„In locations where organisation of the campaign was good, great results were achieved. Where organization was poor, fewer people were inoculated,” Djerlek said, adding that 225 vaccination venues will be open across Serbia over the weekend, as well as an increased number of mobile units.

„We need to remain vigilant, even though the situation is already encouraging – as the number of coronavirus patients currently being treated in hospitals has dropped to below 2,000,” the health minister said.

Epidemiologist Dr Predrag Kon in the Serbian crisis management unit also addressed young people by saying, „almost half of those who were vaccinated in Belgrade in the past few days, were under age 35, which is good. At the beginning of the vaccination campaign, we started with the most vulnerable. Young people are not among the most vulnerable, but now, I urge them to take the vaccine for their own sake and for that of their environment. This is the way to return to a normal life. The vaccination is now available to16-17-year-olds, as well.”

The epidemiologist also spoke about school graduations.

„There will be celebrations, but they will have to be held later. Don t hold secret parties, we re at the very end of it all, we have to be patient and celebrate in a cautiously orderly fashion with maximum regard for the situation,” urged Dr. Kon.