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Vaccines

Montenegro's Vaccination Campaign Faces Delays and Scepticism

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Montenegro's efforts to combat the COVID-19 pandemic are hampered by delays in the procurement process and widespread scepticism about the safety of coronavirus vaccines. The country is expecting to receive its first doses of the vaccine from the COVAX scheme in the first quarter of 2021, but has also secured a shipment of 30,000 doses of the Chinese vaccine and 50,000 doses of the Sputnik V vaccine from Russia. Despite these developments, a significant portion of the population remains hesitant to take the vaccine, with a December poll indicating that only 42% of Montenegrins would take the COVID-19 vaccine if one were available.

Key Takeaways:

  • Montenegro expects to receive its first doses of the COVID-19 vaccine from the COVAX scheme in the first quarter of 2021.
  • The country has secured a shipment of 30,000 doses of the Chinese vaccine and 50,000 doses of the Sputnik V vaccine from Russia.
  • Scepticism about the safety of coronavirus vaccines remains widespread, with a December poll indicating that only 42% of Montenegrins would take the COVID-19 vaccine if one were available.
  • The current government lacks a detailed plan for vaccination, which may result in a delayed vaccination campaign.
  • An ineffective vaccination campaign could hamper the 2021 tourism season and push economic recovery back to 2022.
  • Real GDP is expected to rebound by 4.3% in 2021, but the economy will not reach its pre-COVID-19 levels until beyond the 2021-22 forecast period.

Statistics:

  • 42% of Montenegrins would take the COVID-19 vaccine if one were available, according to a December poll (Source: Government of Montenegro).
  • 248,800 doses of the Chinese vaccine have been procured, enough for 20% of the population (Source: Government of Montenegro).
  • 30,000 doses of the Chinese vaccine will be provided by the Chinese embassy in Montenegro (Source: Chinese Embassy in Montenegro).
  • 50,000 doses of the Sputnik V vaccine are expected to be shipped to Montenegro (Source: Russian Government).
  • Real GDP is expected to rebound by 4.3% in 2021 (Source: Government of Montenegro).
  • The economy is not expected to reach its pre-COVID-19 levels until beyond the 2021-22 forecast period (Source: Government of Montenegro).

Sources:

  • Government of Montenegro (January 2021)
  • Chinese Embassy in Montenegro (February 2021)
  • Russian Government (February 2021)
  • Government of Montenegro (October 2020)
  • Government of Montenegro (December 2020)

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