| |     português | latinica  
Home
Serbian Prime Minister the first PM in Europe to receive a Covid-19 vaccine

Prime Minister of the Republic of Serbia Ana Brnabic received today the first vaccine against the coronavirus made by Pfizer company, at the Torlak Institute of Virology, Vaccines and Sera.

Brnabic, who is the first European Prime Minister to receive the vaccine, pointed out that this day may be the first since 6 March that we have a reason for a smile on our faces as it marks the beginning of the end of the coronavirus pandemic in Serbia, but also in Europe and the world.

As Prime Minister and as someone who leads the COVID-19 Crisis Response Team, I felt obliged to be the first to receive the vaccine, to show that we believe in it, as well as in our institutions - the Medicines and Medical Devices Agency of Serbia and experts who worked round the clock to test the vaccine, she said.

Underlining that it was an honour to do this for her country and be the first to pave the way for all citizens, the Prime Minister said that she agreed with President of the Republic Aleksandar Vucic that the two of them receive different vaccines, so he will most likely receive the next one that arrives, most probably the one produced by China.

At the moment we have the Pfizer-BioNTech consortium vaccine, and the vaccines from the Chinese Sinopharm are expected in the near future, as well as certain quantities of the Russian vaccine Sputnik V.

She expressed her belief that at the end of the first quarter or the beginning of the second quarter of next year we will have the vaccine of the company AstraZeneca, and after that the vaccine manufactured by Moderna.

As we promised, all vaccines licensed in their countries and approved by relevant international agencies will be available to our citizens, and of course they will be tested by all of our agencies and institutes as well, the Prime Minister pointed out.

She said that prior to the vaccination of health care workers, Minister of Health Zlatibor Loncar will also receive a vaccine shot as we endeavour to serve as an example and show how confident we are in the vaccines and institutions.

Brnabic pointed out that Serbia, not counting Great Britain, is the first country in Europe to receive the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, and the third to start a mass immunization and campaign for giving the vaccine - after Great Britain and Switzerland.

We achieved something very important and we will not stop even for a moment until the immunization of the population is completed, the Prime Minister said.

She specified that our country will receive another 16,000 doses of Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine in January, as well as that together with other vaccines we will have a total of one million doses in January, and a total of approximately two million doses during the first quarter of next year.

There is a dynamic on which Pfizer delivers vaccines and it varies depending on the production, and this is the case with deliveries to both Serbia and all other countries worldwide. We expected to receive 10,000 doses from Pfizer-BioNTech in December, however 4,807 doses arrived, the Prime Minister explained.

Serbia demonstrated that it is able to fight and succeed if we all work as a team, Brnabic said and called on all not to see the beginning of vaccination as the end of the fight already, but to continue to apply all measures instead.

This is to be certain and to be able to help our health care workers, and once the immunity is acquired we will be able to slowly start taking off the masks in 2021, but until then we should not see this as a victory but as the beginning of the end, the Prime Minister concluded.

After the Prime Minister, vaccine shots were also administered to the Minister of Labour, Employment, Veteran and Social Affairs and a member of the COVID-19 Crisis Response Team Darija Kisic Tepavcevic and to Predrag Kon who is also on the COVID-19 Crisis Response Team.

Furthermore, vaccine shots were also given to Head of the MMA Department for the Prevention and Control of Nosocomial Infections prof. Dr. Vesna Suljagic and academician Predrag Pesko, professor of Belgrade and Heidelberg universities and full member of the Serbian Academy of Sciences and Arts.

The first quantities of the vaccine arrived in Serbia on 22 December, and today they will be administered to patrons of nursing homes in Belgrade and Novi Sad.

Serbia is the first country in the region to receive a shipment of Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine.

In addition to procuring the vaccine among the first countries in the world, even before EU countries, Serbia is one of the rare countries that managed to build and open two covid hospitals in record time. The hospitals with 930 beds in Batajnica and 500 beds in Krusevac are a major contribution to the expansion of capacities and strengthening the health care system in the fight against coronavirus and, as President Vucic said, represent a monument of the future, that will talk about the accomplishments the state made in a short time.

Also, we recall that investments in health infrastructure have been large in Serbia, and since 2016, 80 health centers and clinics have been renovated, and works are underway on six large health centers. This way more than EUR 200 million was invested in the reconstruction, construction and equipping of hospitals and more than 300 million in the renovation of clinics and specialized hospitals, and many have already been completed, such as the University Children's Hospital Tiršova, and KBC Zemun nad KBC "Dragiša Mišović" hospitals.

The absolute priority of the Serbian Government is the successful completion of health infrastructure projects that are underway, but great attention is also paid to health workers, whose salaries have, by 2020, been increased by 56.8% for specialist doctors, and 66.9% for nurses, while significant funding is invested in the education of health professionals, as well as in equipment and working conditions.

Like other countries, Serbia has faced great challenges this year, most notably health challenges, and all factors in the state were focused on preventing the spread of the virus and safeguarding the lives and health of citizens. Serbia has faced these challenges better than many wealthier and more developed countries in Europe and the world.

Belgrade,

24 December 2020

***


Print version
News
Ambassador Ana Ilić presented her credentials to the president of the Republic of Cape Verde.
Ambassador Ana Ilić at the dinner marking the end of the Spanish presidency of the EU Council
Ambassador Ilić at the reception with President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa.
Serbia's Delegation at the Handover of Responsibilities at the Multinational Helicopter Training Center in Sintra
Minister of Science, Technological Development, and Innovation of the Republic of Serbia, Dr. Jelena Begović, visited the Web Summit.
Presentation of credential letters to the Executive Secretary of the Community of Portuguese-Speaking Countries (CPLP), 3rd October 2023
The article “We must maintain the peace” by Ambassador Ana Ilic published in DN, 4th of June 2023
Book of condolence open for signing
An article of Ambassador Ana Ilić, entitled "What is really necessary for the normalization of relations between Belgrade and Pristina?, published in Diario de Notisias on 23rd March 2023
Celebrating International Women"s Day, 8th of March 2023
Visiting to the exhibition of photographs about Serbia, February 2023
New Year reception organized by the President of Portugal Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa
Ambassador Ana Ilić meets with the President of the Parliament of Portugal Augusto Santos Silva
Dačić and Cravinho: Work on further improvement of relations between Serbia and Portugal, 14th December 2022
Event organized by the President of the Republic with Association of Women Ambassadors (AWA)
Marking the International Day Against Violence Against Women, November 25, 2022
Presentation of the Letters of Credence to the President of the Republic of Portugal Marcelo Rebelo da Sousa.
Visit of Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs for Bilateral Cooperation Vladimir Marić to Cabo Verde, 13 and 14 September 2022
Visit of the exibition ,Belgrade Concrete' on 4th August 2022
Participation at the concert of the Orchestra "XXI" during the International Music Festival Marvao 2022, 30 July
Selaković: Serbia is actively involved in combating terrorism, radicalism and extremism
Foreign Minister Selaković meeting with the Head of the EU Delegation and the Ambassadors of the EU Member States The Minister of Foreign Affairs Nikola Selaković met today with the Head of the EU Delegation Emanuel Giofre and the Ambassadors of the EU Member States accredited to Serbia.
Ambassador Oliver Antić dies, 18th Februar 2022
Ambassador Oliver Antic published an article in DN on the occasion of 140 years of establishing the diplomatic relation between Portugal and Serbia, 14 of February 2022
Selaković: Cooperation between Serbia and São Tomé and Príncipe continues to deepen, 12 February 2022.
Selaković: Cooperation between Serbia and São Tomé and Príncipe continues to deepen, 12 February 2022.
Minister Selaković with the Prime Minister of Sao Tome and Principe: The support of Sao Tome and Principe on the issue of Kosovo and Metohija is of great importance for Serbia
Serbia and Sao Tome and Principe - two partner and friendly countries, 12. Feb 2022.
Belgrade to get Centre for Fourth Industrial Revolution
Serbian singer and songwriter Tamara Jokic promoted her album "Transiberica" in Lisbon, 3rd of February 2022
Ambassador Oliver Antic published an article "Novak spends Christmas in prison" in DN, 18th of January 2022
Opening of cluster 4 important turning point for Serbia
Selaković: Serbia wants to strengthen ties with Cape Verde, 24. Nov 2021.
Serbia expects support for opening clusters by end year, 12 November 2021
UNESCO’s role extremely important for preservation of Serbian heritage in Kosovo and Metohija, 12 November 2021
Address of the President of the Republic of Serbia at the United Nations climate change conference COP26 held in Glasgow,2nd November 2021
Continuous communication with EU on further reforms, 22 October 2021
Selaković in UNSC: Dialogue and the implementation of the agreements reached are the only right way to resolve all open issues, 15th October 2021
President Vučić attended ceremony of the beginning of works on the modernization and rehabilitation of the Niš-Brestovac railway
Telephone conversation of President Vučić and General Secretary of NATO, 26 September 2021
Selaković in New York with 28 foreign ministers on economic successes of Serbia and K&M situation, 25 September 2021
An article of Ambassador Oliver Antic has been published in Diario d Noticias
Prime Minister Brnabic at Global COVID-19 summit organised by White House, 22 September 2021
The article of the Ambassador Oliver Antic, entitled "Continuation of one tragedy" was published on 29 of August 2021 in Diario de Notisias
Marking the Remembrance Day of all Serbs who died and were expelled in the armed operation "Storm"
President Vučić: We have decided – our goal is the EU, but China is an important partner
Serbia has achieved great success in the field of digitalization
Selaković invited representatives of members of the NAM to gather in Belgrade in October
POLITICAL CORRECTNESS AND TRUTH
Address by the President of the Republic of Serbia at the session of the United Nations Security Council
Minister Selaković presented the new e-Consulate service
Selakovic congratulates Josep Borrell on Europe Day
Vucic: We consider Europe our home
Article "Crisis and Social Justice", by Prof. Dr. Oliver Antic, Ambassador of the Republic of Serbia
Meeting with the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy
Signing of the Financing Agreement for the second part of the IPA Action Programme for 2020
President Vučić met via video link with representatives of the IMF delegation
Meeting with the World Health Organization Regional Director for Europe
Selakovic: Pristina persists in its campaign of hatred against the Serbian people, 13 April 2021
Selakovic: Political extremism of Albanians in Kosovo and Metohija is becoming stronger, 13 April 2021
Article about the process of vaccination in Serbia, written by Prof. Dr. Oliver Antic, Ambassador of the Republic of Serbia, published in Diario de Notisias, 8 April 2021
Online App for Submitting an Application for a type D visa
Article “Greece celebrates 200 Years of Independence”, written by Prof. Dr. Oliver Antic, Ambassador of the Republic of Serbia, published in Diario de Notisias, 29 March 2021
Marking the Day of Remembrance of the victims of the NATO aggression
Why Invest in Serbia?
Commemorating Remembrance Day of 17 March 2004 - Pogrom in Kosovo and Metohija
Meeting with the Head of the Delegation of the European Union
Republic of Serbia in the "Month of Francophonie"
Selakovic: Fight against all forms of crime is a priority of the Serbian Government
Article “Freedom, Justice and Equality are Part of the Civilizational Heritage of Serbia”, written by Prof. Dr. Oliver Antic, Ambassador of the Republic of Serbia, published in Diplomática
Metropolitan Porfirije of Zagreb and Ljubljana elected as the new Patriarch of Serbia
CELEBRATION OF THE NATIONAL DAY OF SERBIA, FEBRUARY 15, 2021
President Vucic: Serbia is ready for dialogue on Kosovo and Metohija, but will refuse being humiliated
Meeting with the Head of the Delegation of the European Union to Serbia
Significant potentials for improving cooperation with Portugal
E - Visa - Payment Instructions
Minister Selakovic speaks for Politika: The year of rejuvenation of Serbian diplomacy
President Vucic: Serbia is the first in Europe in terms of growth
Meeting with the Ambassador of the Republic of Portugal
Every Serb in the diaspora is potentially a lobbyist
Minister Selakovic: New ambassadors will be appointed this year, but the goals remain the same
The Ministry of Foreign affairs of the Republic of Serbia wishes you a Happy New Year
President Vucic: Serbia to remain on the course of a winning policy of stability
Serbian Prime Minister the first PM in Europe to receive a Covid-19 vaccine
Minister Selakovic: Full EU membership remains a priority of the new Government
Brnabic and Borrell: Political and economic aspects of negotiations
New anti-epidemic measures in force from 20 December
Portugal advocates progress in European integration of Western Balkans
J. Joksimović and Roth on Serbia’s negotiations and new methodology
Statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Meeting with the Ambassadors of the EU member states accredited in Serbia and the Head of the EU Delegation
Article “Jihadists and International relations” written by Prof. Dr. Oliver Antic, Ambassador of the Republic of Serbia published in Diario de Noticias on 4 December 2020
BOOK OF CONDOLENCES
The article of Ambassador Oliver Antic under the title "Post-truth: Kosovo thanks 6000 Portuguese soldiers who helped peace", has been published, on 22 October 2020, in the Diario d Notisias
Promotion of the Republic of Serbia as a favorable destination for business
Participation of Serbian representatives at 2020 Laser 4.7 Youth European Championships in sailing in Vilamoura, Portugal, August 2020
Covid-19 - Travel advisory for entering Serbia, 15 August 2020
Embassy is reopened for visa applications, 22 May 2020
Article “Reading Dostoevky” written by Prof. Dr. Oliver Antic, Ambassador of the Republic of Serbia published in Diario de Noticias on 21 May 2020
THE TEMPORARY BAN ON ENTRY INTO THE REPUBLIC OF SERBIA HAS BEEN ABOLISHED
Celebration of the National day of Serbia
New Years greetings for the Diplomatic Corps accredited in Portugal
TRAVEL TO SERBIA
Christmas celebration in Lisbon
Ambassador Dr. Oliver B. Antic"s article "The Delusions and the truths about James Bond" was published in Diplomatica
The National Bank of the Republic of Serbia published Financial Guide for Returnees
Visit of the Delegation of the Republic of Serbia organized by the UN Women Serbia to Lisbon, December 2019
Re - election of the Republic of Serbia to the membership of the UNESCO Executive Board
SRMEK in Lisbon, at the 63rd Congress of European organization for quality
Ambassador Oliver Antic attended the farewell reception, on 27 June, of the Ambassador of Holy See in Portugal, Rino Passigato
Authors' text of Ambassador Oliver Antić in the Public, "The Brexit problem is much more complex than it is thought", April 9, 2019.
Interview of Ambassador Oliver Antic to the news agency "Lusa", March 13, 2019.
S.E., the President of the Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe, Evaristo Carvalho, received the credentials of the representative of the Republic of Serbia, HE Ambassador Oliver Antic, on 21 February 2019 at the Presidential Palace in Sao Tome.
Celebration of the National Day of the Republic of Serbia
The President of the Republic presented the award for the IBM Scientific Prize to the winner of this edition, the Serbian researcher Marija Vranic.
New Year greetings from the Diplomatic Corps accredited in Portugal, Ajuda National Palace 14.01.2019
An opinion piece was published in the Public on January 10, 2019 from the Ambassador of Serbia, Prof. Doctor Oliver Antiċ, entitled Nikola Tesla: "Europe will never be able to pay the great debt it owes to the Serbian people"
Foi publicado no Publico de dia 01 de Diecembro de 2018 um artigo de opinião do Senhor Embaixador da Sérvia, Prof. Doutor Oliver Antiċ, intituladoFascismo - Um Alerta, de Madeleine Albright
Prime Minister of the Republic of Serbia Ana Brnabic at the "Web Summit" in Lisbon, 6.11.2018.
The Executive Secretary of the Community of Portuguese Speaking Countries (CPLP), Maria do Carmo Silveira, received the representative of the Republic of Serbia from the CPLP, Oliver Antic, to receive credentials on October 18, 2018, at the Conde Palace of Penafiel, in Lisbon
19-20. April 2018. Long tradition of diplomatic relations with Portugal and wish to step up cooperation in all fields
Why Kosovo is ineligible for membership in UNESCO?
Biometric passports
Travel to Serbia
News - Archive