In an interview with ATA, Dr. Pipero stressed that “the number of hospitalizations has dropped, as the cases tested positive are among young age groups, who are more active and in turn more exposed to the virus. Despite testing positive, they show less complications and do not need specialized care.”

“Meanwhile due to bad weather conditions, increased care, the elderly and those with underlying health condition are more reluctant to go out and more inclined to follow the rules, such as mask wearing, social distancing and frequent hand washing,” said Pipero.

Regarding the herd immunity, Dr. Pipero said that “we are still far, the world included, from any kind of herd immunity. The mass immunity achieved through the vaccine is unlikely, because the vaccination has just started and in my opinion herd immunity is achieved at least 5-6 months into the vaccine rollout after covering 50-60% of the population in need of vaccination, including the people who had Covid.”

“While the emergence of 2-3 new variants of the novel coronavirus has created concern that the vaccine authorized for Covid may not be the way out of the pandemic. We need time to say whether we have achieved the herd immunity or not, ” – Pipero told ATA.

Doctor Pipero said that “our country ranks among the countries with high exposure and over 30% of the population must have contracted COVID-19.”

Regarding the question whether Albania has seen cases of the new variant in Albania, Pipero states that “we have not identified any suspected cases yet, as they are taken to the reference laboratories in Germany, but so far we have not traced any such cases. ”

Asked if the doctors and nurses who received the first dose of anti-Covid vaccine in Albania have exhibited any side effects, Dr. Pipero said that “no serious side effects have been reported so far.”
/k.s/sm/