Semmelweis University staff administered the second shots of Pfizer-BioNTech coronavirus vaccine to nearly 10,000 people living and working in social institutions within three days. With this, the vaccination program of the nursing homes in the capital has been completed.
Semmelweis University was among the first to start administering COVID-19 vaccines on 26 December, 2020. It is Semmelweis University’s responsibility to vaccinate the employees of hospitals, health service providers (for example general practitioners, home pediatricians, dentists and their assistants) as it is ordered by the government, as well as the employees of the National Ambulance Service and Semmelweis Citizens (staff, students) based on the vaccination schedule of the National Public Health Centre. In addition, the vaccination program in the social institutions of the capital started on 9 January, 2021 in cooperation with the Government Office of Budapest.
“The vaccination of residents and workers has been uninterrupted. Three weeks ago, nearly 10,000 people received the first shot of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine as part of a vaccination campaign, which was followed by the second shot this weekend. With this, the majority of residents and workers have been vaccinated during the vaccination program of the nursing homes in the capital”, said Dr. Attila Szabó, Vice-Rector for Clinical Affairs, President of the Clinical Centre.
During the vaccination campaign, which took place between Friday and Sunday, Semmelweis University staff vaccinated 9,800 residents and workers in more than 100 locations. Nearly 500 staff members, including physicians, health care professionals and students participated and were assisted by staff members of the Directorate General of Technical Affairs.
The university has also been vaccinating those who have been assigned by their GPs since 4 February, 2021. Since 26 December, 2020, the staff of the institution have administered more than 60,000 vaccines, none of which has caused any serious complications or side effects. As the Vice-Rector for Clinical Affairs pointed out, in the course of the vaccinations campaign carried out during the weekend, allergic reaction on the skin occurred in two cases, both of which were treated on the spot and the patients were released after a short observation.
“On behalf of the Clinical Centre, I would like to thank the university staff for their support in administering the vaccines. We have been fighting the coronavirus epidemic for a year. So far, we have been able to fight by hiding from the enemy, but now we are armed with vaccines and the staff of Semmelweis University are fighting the pandemic on the front lines”, Dr. Attila Szabó said.
Ádám Szabó
Photo: Attila Kovács – Semmelweis University (illustration)
Translation: Katalin Illés-Romhányi
