Corona vaccination in Serbia - mandatory or optional

The Serbian government is urging all citizens to protect their life and health, as
well as the life and health of people around them by getting vaccinated. Since the
beginning of mass vaccination in Serbia, two years ago, the vast majority of
hospitalized patients have been unvaccinated citizens. Whereas mandatory
vaccination in Serbia might interfere with personal integrity, it should be
necessary to safeguard public health, because vaccination is one of the most
effective interventions in the world for saving lives and promoting good health.

Getting vaccinated could save your life. COVID-19 vaccines provide the strong
protection this against serious illness, hospitalization and death. There is also some
evidence that being vaccinated will make it less likely that you will pass the virus on
to the others, which means your decision to get the vaccine also protects those
around you. Now that COVID-19 vaccines have reached billions of people
worldwide, the evidence is overwhelming that no matter which one you take, the
vaccines offer life-saving protection against a disease that has killed millions. The
pandemic is far from over, and they are our best bet of staying safe.

Scientists around the world are continuing to develop many potential vaccines for
COVID-19. These vaccines are all designed to teach the body’s immune system to
safely recognize and block the virus that causes COVID-19. WHO-authorized
COVID-19 vaccines are safe for most people of 18 years and older, including those
with pre-existing conditions of any kind such as auto-immune disorders. Scientists
are also constantly monitoring the information from several sources for any sign
that a vaccine may cause health risks.

While COVID-19 vaccines are highly effective against the serious illness,
hospitalization and death, no vaccine is 100% effective. As a result, a number of
vaccinated people will get infected and may fall ill with COVID-19 in spite of being
fully vaccinated. This is known as a ‘breakthrough infection’. Breakthrough
infections can happen with every vaccine, and do not mean that the vaccine does
not work. People who get COVID-19 after being vaccinated are much more likely to
only experience mild symptoms. Efficacy against serious illness and death still
remains high.

COVID-19 vaccines are an important tool to stop the pandemic, but they will not do
so on their own. It is much safer to get vaccinated than it is to risk getting corona.
Get vaccinated as soon as you can, and keep doing everything you can to protect
yourself and others. Your health is the most precious and please do not wait for
your government to order you what to do.