LJUBLJANA, March 19 (Xinhua) -- Senior politicians in Slovenia were administered the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine on Friday to boost public trust in vaccination.
President Borut Pahor, Parliament Speaker Igor Zorcic and Prime Minister Janez Jansa got their jabs after the AstraZeneca vaccine was briefly suspended this week for a review of possible risks.
Pahor said that the vaccine was the main factor of change for the better and return to normal life.
"I got vaccinated because I want to contribute to this epidemic ending as soon as possible," the president said. "I understand that the vaccine is safe and efficient, and I trust science and the experts who encourage us to get vaccinated."
Several cabinet ministers were also vaccinated, and others are scheduled to receive the jab next week.
The AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine was suspended in Slovenia Monday, but on Thursday the decision was made to resume its use after the European Medicines Agency (EMA) assessed it "safe and effective" following a review of possible blood clot risks.
To date, 179,351 people have received the first COVID-19 vaccine dose, and 99,266, both doses in Slovenia, the National Institute of Public Health said.
As the world is struggling to contain the pandemic, vaccination is underway in an increasing number of countries with already-authorized coronavirus vaccines.
Meanwhile, 264 candidate vaccines are still being developed worldwide -- 82 of them in clinical trials -- in countries including Germany, China, Russia, Britain and the United States, according to information released by the World Health Organization on March 16.
