COVID-19 vaccinations at Almaty's No 4 Clinic are being carried out on a voluntary basis - as stated by the head physician.
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In the heart of Kazakhstan, Almaty city is taking significant strides in the fight against COVID-19. Here's a breakdown of the vaccination programme in the bustling city.
Vaccination Process
COVID-19 vaccination in Kazakhstan, including in Almaty, is free for all citizens, thanks to the state's funding. The process is conducted on a voluntary basis for citizens without medical contraindications. City Polyclinic No4, one of the largest medical institutions in Almaty, located in the Bostandyk district, is one of the vaccination centres.
To ensure safety, the polyclinic has prepared two vaccination rooms and provides hand sanitizers for visitors' use. Visitors are required to wear medical protective masks, and a separate waiting area for individuals with symptoms of illness is available. A mandatory medical examination is conducted before vaccination.
Contraindications
Certain individuals are not eligible for vaccination due to health reasons. These include those with severe allergic reactions in their medical history, acute infectious and non-infectious diseases, or exacerbation of chronic diseases. Age under 18, hypersensitivity to any component of the vaccine or a vaccine containing similar components, pregnancy, and breastfeeding are also contraindications.
Phased Vaccination Approach
While specific official priority group details for Almaty are not available, the vaccination rollout in Kazakhstan, including in Almaty, follows a phased approach. The country began its vaccination programme around late April 2021 using the locally-developed QazCovid-in (QazVac) vaccine[1].
Typically, Kazakhstan's national vaccination phases prioritised healthcare workers and medical staff exposed to COVID-19, the elderly population and people with chronic diseases at high risk of severe COVID-19, subsequently essential workers, and finally the general adult population.
While precise official priority groups specific to Almaty are not cited, these groups correspond to most countries’ phased COVID-19 vaccination strategies.
Vaccine Supply
Information from regional surveillance systems shows that monitoring adverse events is a priority but does not detail priority groups for dosing phases[2]. However, it's worth noting that vaccine delivery to the polyclinic is planned by 1 February, and there is mention of good vaccination supply capabilities increasing from 50,000 doses in April 2021 to 100,000 doses per month by June 2021 for Kazakhstan overall, implying scaling of phases from frontline workers to wider populations[1].
Refusal of Vaccination
Each citizen has the right to refuse vaccination in writing.
[1] Source [2] Source
In the context of Almaty's vaccination programme, the connection between science and health-and-wellness is evident as the city prioritizes the use of the locally-developed QazCovid-in (QazVac) vaccine, a result of scientific research and innovation. The right to refuse vaccination underscores the importance of individual health choices in maintaining overall wellness.
