COVID-19 vaccination is best option for a return to normal, doctors say

COVID-19 vaccination can help Kazakh citizens return to normal. The director of one of the medical centers in Nur-Sultan, Zhazira Yemberdiyeva, spoke about the importance of immunization. It’s the only way to achieve herd immunity, the doctor said. If all citizens of the country are more responsible about receiving the vaccine, it will be possible to return to the pre-pandemic times, when all public institutions worked in the normal mode. Doctors urge citizens not to be afraid of vaccinations and stress that they should trust only reliable sources, and not fake news on the harmful effects of vaccination posted on social media

“Given that we have a population of 19 million people, herd immunity will be achieved when 60 percent of the population is vaccinated. Once we achieve herd immunity, we will get back to normal and will be able to travel and socialize more. Now, unfortunately, that’s not possible,” said Zhazira Yemberdiyeva.

According to the latest data, the number of Kazakh citizens who received the first dose of the coronavirus vaccine has exceeded five million. This number should be twice as large in order to achieve herd immunity. To date, the epidemiological situation in the country remains tense. Kazakhstan reported over 5,700 new infections and 64 coronavirus-related fatalities in the last 24 hours. This alarming COVID-19 statistics calls for thinking about it seriously.

Translation by Assem Zhanmukhanova

Editing by Galiya Khassenkhanova