Skopje, 15 March 2024 (MIA) – Following the recommendations of the Commission for Infectious Diseases issued Thursday, Health Minister Ilir Demiri adopted a decision Friday permitting children who have been administered three doses of the DTaP vaccine against whooping cough (pertussis) to enter and attend kindergarten, with a mandated booster shot six months after the third dose, said the Ministry of Health.

The decision enters into force Friday, and will be implemented as of Monday, said the Ministry.

The Ministry added that the country has received DTaP vaccines for adults as well, noting that citizens are able to get the vaccine at vaccination sites.

“The vaccines are safe and they are the greatest achievement of the healthcare system. We urge all citizens, especially the parents of children at a pre-school age, to vaccinate their children since their health protection is a top priority. The vaccination sites are working in two shifts in order to make it easier for parents to vaccinate their children,” said the Ministry.