The Albanian Ministry of Health has rejected the request of pharmacists to be included in priority groups for COVID-19 vaccinations.
At the start of February, the Order of Pharmacists asked the government to allocate 5000 doses for those working in pharmacies. They noted that the International Federation of Pharmacists had called on governments of lower-income countries to include pharmacists as a priority group. They argue that they are on the frontline during the pandemic and come into contact with infected people every day.
In other countries such as Malta, the UK, and Germany, pharmacists have been included in the vaccination of frontline health workers. Furthermore, in the US, pharmacists have been identified as one of the essential groups that should receive the vaccine as a priority.
Despite this, the Albanian government has decided against vaccinating them as a priority. In a letter sent to the Order of Pharmacists, the Ministry states that the vaccination plan is drafted by “experts” and is based on “international recommendations regarding vaccination.”
