Tartu preparing to open a vaccination centre
Tartu City Government, Tartu University Hospital Foundation and Tartu Ambulance Foundation
16 March / The Tartu City Government, Tartu University Hospital Foundation and Tartu Ambulance Foundation have begun preparations for the opening of a vaccination centre at the A Le Coq Sport venue (Ihaste tee 7) in order to enable as many residents as possible to be vaccinated against COVID-19 at an accelerated pace. The exact opening time of the centre depends on the arrival of vaccine deliveries.
According to Tartu Mayor Urmas Klaas, preparations for the establishment of the centre have already been started in order to be fully prepared by the time the required amount of vaccines has arrived. ‘We have begun making preparations in good cooperation with Tartu University Hospital and the Tartu Ambulance Foundation, so that the rapid vaccination would not be delayed due to logistics, premises or staff, but would get underway as soon as the vaccines have arrived’, added the Mayor.
According to Doctor Andres Kotsar, Chief Medical Officer of Tartu University Hospital, vaccinating the population as soon as possible is key to overcoming the COVID-19 pandemic. ‘Tartu University Hospital wants to contribute to the vaccination of the population in order to reduce the spread of the virus and thereby also the number of patients requiring hospitalisation. Tartu University Hospital’s vaccination team has considerable experience in vaccinating against COVID-19, having already given more than 14,000 doses of vaccine to clinic staff, patients in risk groups, educators, pharmacists, dentists, other frontline workers, as well as residents called to take the vaccine, said Doctor Kotsar.
Safe vaccination areas, a sufficient number of vaccination sites and a surveillance area with physicians are all planned to be set up in the vaccination centre, taking into account infection control related recommendations. According to current data, it will be possible to vaccinate 1000-1500 people a day at the vaccination centre.
Tartu Deputy Mayor Mihkel Lees said that there are very good conditions for the establishment of a vaccination centre in the A Le Coq Sport venue. ‘The building is in a favourable location, as one third of Tartu’s residents live in the Annelinna City District. Good parking facilities, close proximity to bus stops, spacious rooms and good ventilation are also important. We understand that there will be some inconvenience for athletes, but we are working with the Tartu Sport Foundation to help divide training between other sports facilities, if necessary’, Lees added.
Vaccination times can be booked once the required amounts of vaccine have been received. This will be announced in the information channels of Tartu University Hospital and the City of Tartu.
Last changed 16.03.2021
