5,000 Sputnik V vaccines arrive in Montenegro

The first shipment of 5,000 vaccines against COVID-19 of the Russian manufacturer Sputnik arrived today in Montenegro, signaling the beginning of the delivery of a total of 50,000 vaccines from this manufacturer, which should arrive in Montenegro by the end of the first quarter of this year.

On behalf of the Government of Montenegro, the shipment of 5,000 vaccines was received by Minister of Health Jelena Borovinić Bojović, Russian Ambassador to Montenegro Vladislav Maslenikov, the Prime Minister's Foreign Policy Adviser Srećko Crnogorac, the Prime Minister's Adviser and the Head of Public Relations Andrijana Đordan, and Director General of the Directorate for Digital Health in the Ministry of Health Aleksandar Sekulić.

Minister Borovinić Bojović pointed out that the procurement and delivery of the first five thousand out of a total of 50 thousand Sputnik V vaccines - which is planned to arrive in Montenegro by the end of March, as well as another 50 thousand that should be delivered to our country by the end of the second quarter – is the result of bilateral negotiations between the Ministry of Health, i.e. the Government of Montenegro, and an expert team consisting of competent representatives of the Russian government and vaccine manufacturers.

The Minister stressed that - thanks to the efforts and direct negotiations between the two governments, which, although lasting only two months, were extremely constructive and effective - the first tranche of the Sputnik V vaccine arrived in Montenegro.

The Minister of Health once again expressed great gratitude and respect to the Russian government for its understanding, readiness and contribution to get the vaccines to Montenegro as soon as possible.

She reminded that the donation of 30,000 Chinese vaccines departs from Beijing on 27 February, noting that negotiations are underway for 150,000 doses of China's Sinopharm vaccine, 150,000 doses of Pfizer vaccine, as well as 80,000 doses of AstraZeneca vaccine.

Russian Ambassador to Montenegro Vladislav Maslenikov said that the arrival of vaccines in Montenegro raised hopes for a return to normal life, because, as he emphasised, mass immunization of the population is the main precondition for recovery of the world and national economies affected by the pandemic.

- The Sputnik V vaccine is safe and effective. Its manufacturers have relied on the experience and deep traditions of advanced Russian science. I am convinced that the Russian vaccine will help protect and even save thousands of lives of citizens of Montenegro, with which we share long-standing historical, cultural and spiritual ties, said Ambassador Maslenikov.