Russian President Vladimir Putin announced the need to increase the rate of vaccination against coronavirus infection in the country.

During a meeting with members of the government, the head of state noted that this summer has become another test for Russians in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Everything is very difficult, as we can see, and of course, it is clear that people are tired ... It is clear that this insidious, recurring epidemic gives us a lot of problems, and this is happening not only in our country, but also in the vast majority of countries in the world”, - said the president.

Vladimir Putin said that it is difficult for him to understand colleagues who continue to "divide the pandemic into his own and someone else's", as well as slow down the registration of Russian vaccines, "which are undoubtedly safe and effective."

The President expressed hope for joint work with other countries, stressing that it is pointless to fight separately.

“Our main task now is to increase the rate of vaccination in the country.

It is extremely important to convince people of the need to get vaccinated, that this is the only way we will be able to curb the epidemic, and at the same time, in a detailed, qualified manner, explain the complex questions that citizens have about vaccination, ”Putin said, noting that“ nothing can be imposed, but you need to explain. "

During the meeting, the head of state called the level of public awareness of the pandemic and vaccination insufficient, despite a lot of work in this direction.

Putin also noted that each region has its own situation with the coronavirus and, depending on it, appropriate decisions are made.

“It is only necessary to inform people about this in a timely manner, bearing in mind the observance of their rights and responding to their concerns.

We need to arrange this work more subtly, ”the president said. 

He recalled that vaccination against coronavirus is voluntary, but regional leaders have the right to introduce compulsory vaccination for certain categories of citizens in cases of a sharp increase in the incidence.

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“I have already said on the direct line that our vaccines against COVID-19 are not included in the national vaccination plan.

This means that vaccination against COVID-19 is not nationally mandatory, but in accordance with the 1998 law, governors, regional leaders, on the recommendations of chief sanitary doctors, have the right to introduce compulsory vaccination in the event of a sharp increase in the incidence of certain categories of citizens, "Putin explained.

In addition, he called for an immediate solution to the problems with the delivery and distribution of doses of vaccines against coronavirus, and ordered the governors to personally deal with vaccination issues.

In Russia, 33.6 million people have already been vaccinated with the first component of the COVID-19 vaccine, with both components - 22.6 million, Deputy Prime Minister Tatyana Golikova said in turn.

At the same time, she drew attention to the fact that the situation with the spread of coronavirus in Russia remains tense.

According to the results of last week, Golikova noted, 174.2 thousand cases of the disease were registered, and the incidence rate per 100 thousand population was 118.7.

“Although this is practically the level of last week, nevertheless, in most regions, the situation, as I said, remains tense,” said the Deputy Prime Minister.

She also noted that the task of increasing the rate of vaccination is facing all regions.

At the same time, in order to combat the spread of coronavirus, it is necessary to achieve collective immunity to COVID-19 at a level of at least 80%, the Deputy Prime Minister explained.

“We set such a target for vaccination with at least the first component by November 1, 2021,” she said.

At the same time, during the meeting, the head of the Ministry of Health Mikhail Murashko said that 198 thousand people with coronavirus infection were currently hospitalized in the country.

“There are 889 thousand patients under the supervision of medical workers.

Of these, 77% are patients receiving care on an outpatient basis, ”he added.

At the same time, the increase in hospitalized patients over the past week was 3.8%.

“We have deployed 232 thousand beds,” the minister added.

Earlier, the press secretary of the President of Russia Dmitry Peskov said that there is no "closeness" in Russia in the issue of the coronavirus epidemic.

He recalled that the authorities regularly publish data both in Russia as a whole and in major cities on deaths, newly ill and recovered.