It was this vaccine that the state leaders received today. A dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine was thus administered to Prime Minister Janez Janša, President of the Republic of Slovenia Borut Pahor, President of the National Assembly Igor Zorčič and President of the National Council Alojz Kovšca.

Slovenia’s state leaders were vaccinated in accordance with the National Vaccination Strategy adopted by the Government.

The basic objective of the National Vaccination Strategy is to reduce mortality due to COVID-19, improve citizens’ health by preventing the severe course of the coronavirus disease in individuals, unburden the health system, kick-start the economy and restore education, transport, cultural and social life, and other activities which were restricted due to the crisis.

As protective measures alone cannot effectively prevent new infections with the SARS-COV-2 virus, this is expected to be achieved by proper vaccination coverage of the population with safe and effective vaccines.

However, until the vaccination coverage of the population has been reached, self-protection measures to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, such as bubbles, use of a mask, hand washing and disinfection, two-metre distance, frequent room ventilation and other measures prescribed by health professionals, must be observed.