Tbilisi. ”Fact Check” states that it is false as if a citizen Petre Dvalishvili felt bad as a result of receiving the second dose of a vaccine and died soon after. “On August 20, a Facebook account “Christians of the end-time” published a post on the social network. The post was accompanied by an article by Guriatoday. According to the content of the post, in Guria, Petre Dvalishvili, a former Lanchkhuti police officer, felt bad as a result of receiving the second dose of the Sinopharm vaccine and died soon after. The mentioned fact does not correspond to the reality”, - is stated on the website of “Fact Check”. Read more… Source: factcheck.ge

Tbilisi. According to the Special Penitentiary Service, more than a hundred prisoners tested positive for coronavirus in penitentiary institutions. The Public Defender's Office received information about the spread of coronavirus in penitentiary institutions from prisoners and the administration of specific penitentiary institutions. The information obtained at this stage is consistent with the information disseminated by the Penitentiary Service. Infected prisoners were transferred from Establishments Nos. 2, 8, and 14 to a specially arranged quarantine area. Additional detailed information on the isolation and treatment of prisoners has been requested from the Special Penitentiary Service. Read more…  Source: ombudsman.ge

Tbilisi. Organizations, working in the field of mental health care, respond to the abolition of the mental health department at the Ivane Bokeria Tbilisi Referral Hospital and consider this fact as a step backward in the process of deinstitutionalization of psychiatric institutions. “Closure of the mental health department endangers the right of people with psychosocial needs to have access to healthcare services. There occur risks that people may remain without respective services and/or return to already overcrowded large psychiatric institutions, where there is a higher risk of rights of patients being violated. It is for this particular purpose that the process of deinstitutionalization and their reorganization is launched”. Read more… Source: socialjustice.org.ge

Tbilisi. The Institute for Development of Freedom of Information (IDFI) publishes an analysis of the progress of the vaccination process in Georgia. “From March 15 to the present, only 36% of the 46,520 targeted medical workers, as stipulated by the National Vaccination Plan, are vaccinated. According to August 4 data, only 4.8% of the total population was fully vaccinated, while 10.4% - with at least one dose. 13.5% of the population over the age of 18 were vaccinated with at least one dose, while 6.2% - completely. 58% of vaccinations and bookings are Tbilisi-based. There is no information available on what kind of information campaign is carried out by the government to interest and inform the population about the vaccination process”. Read more… Source: idfi.ge

Samtskhe-Javakheti. UNICEF continues conducting informational sessions on COVID-19 vaccination. “This time, prominent health experts held a meeting for over 60 teachers and administrative staff of schools of Akhaltsikhe about COVID-19, the importance of vaccination and the immunization trends in Georgia. After the meeting, most attendees got vaccinated against COVID-19. The meeting was organized by UNICEF in partnership with the National Centre for Disease Control”. Learn more… Source: www.unicef.org

Tbilisi. The European Union increased its health assistance package for the Eastern Partnership by €35 million, stepping up its ambition to deploy fast safe & effective COVID-19 vaccines to the people in Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova & Ukraine. For more information... Source: eeas.europa.eu

Tbilisi. As the Institute for Tolerance and Diversity (TDI) informs, by the order of the Minister of Health, from July 22, there came into force a regulation, which allows foreigners, residing in Georgia, to benefit from the state immunization program and get vaccinated against COVID-19. However, the order envisages specific conditions and it applies only to a certain group of foreign beneficiaries. According to the regulation, vaccination will not be available for foreigners residing without documents, as well as for those who are legally present in Georgia but had to cross the Georgian border and re-enter during the last three months in order to ensure their legal stay in Georgia. Meanwhile, restrictions against Indian students still remain unchanged. They can enter Georgia only by charter flights. On the other hand, charter flights are either canceled or limited and students are unable to return to Georgia for their studies. The organizations call on the Government of Georgia and the Interagency Coordination Council on Pandemic Issues to lift above-mentioned restrictions, which limit human rights, endanger their lives and increase the risk of spreading the virus. Rights Georgia joins the statement. Read more… Source:tdi.ge

Samtskhe-Javakheti. Civil society organizations working in Samtskhe-Javakheti and Kvemo Kartli address the Government of Georgia in regard to the vaccination process. According to the organizations, residents of regions populated by ethnic minorities (Samtskhe-Javakheti, Kvemo Kartli) are especially skeptical about vaccination and turn to be influenced by Russian propaganda. They do not intend to get vaccinated against COVID-19. Even if informed and convinced, residents have a lot of other barriers: they do not speak the state language, which fact makes it difficult for them to register on a Georgian-language portal, even hotline operators speak to them only in the Georgian language. “We, as the civil society organizations working for years in a region densely populated by ethnic minorities, consider those ethnic minorities living in Georgia should have an opportunity to register on the vaccination portal and receive information from hotline operators in a language they can understand. We hope the state fulfills its responsibilities towards citizens properly and ensures improved access to the vaccination process for ethnic minorities in the nearest upcoming days”, - is noted in the joint statement. Read more… Source: The website of the Union of Democrat Meskhs on a social network

Tbilisi. As FactCheck updates, there was spread a disinformation on a social network, according to which Chief Nurse of Archimedes Clinic in Tsnori died of vaccination against the coronavirus. Verification with the Ministry of Health revealed that “Nana Kachlishvili, Chief Nurse of Archimedes Clinic, died indeed, however, her death had nothing in common with vaccination. The nurse was vaccinated with a single dose of Sinopharm, a vaccine against the coronavirus, on July 21. Later, on July 24, she was tested positive for the coronavirus. As the Ministry stated, the nurse was a patient with severe chronic illnesses and died on August 3, however, her death was not connected with vaccination”. Read more… Source: factcheck.ge

Tbilisi. The Human Rights Center expresses its concern over the rapid spread of the new coronavirus - COVID-19 pandemic in Georgia. “While according to current data, only 5% of population is fully vaccinated, and that is when the positive indicator of transmission of the virus reaches 6 to 8 percent per day. If the state ensures diversity in choices of European and American quality vaccines recognized by the World Health Organization, as well as takes into account the attitude towards vaccination (for instance, there are vaccines that require one-time vaccination), it will speed up the vaccination process to some extent. It is also important to properly disseminate information among public as trust in new types of vaccines is low due to the fact that they have not been tested over years and causes people to fear for the future. Besides, it should be considered that it was in Georgia in particular, where the case of death took place and obstructed the vaccination process leading to distrust in medical staff. Provision of access to registration for a vaccine technically is a crucial issue”. Read more… Source: www.hrc.ge

Tbilisi. According to information released by Myth Detector, Beka Vardosanidze, a blogger supporting Alt-Info, posted on Facebook, where he referred to a document published on a social network Telegram and wrote that among people infected with COVID-19 in the UK, the death rate of those vaccinated is higher than that of non-vaccinated ones. "The post of Beka Vardosanidze is misleading and does not provide the full picture of coronavirus infection and vaccination statistics in the UK. In reality, more than a half of those infected with COVID-19 during the last six months were unvaccinated, while the death toll of vaccinated people exceeded the mortality rate of those unvaccinated only within the 50+ age category, where the risk of death is higher due to characteristics of the virus”. Read more… Source: mythdetector.ge

Adaja. UNICEF continues informational sessions on COVID-19 vaccination. This time prominent health experts held a meeting for the teachers of mountainous Adjara (Khulo, Keda and Shuakhevi in particular) about the COVID-19, the importance of vaccination and the immunization trends in Georgia.                          Source: The organization’s page on the social network

Tbilisi. The Human Rights Center made a presentation of a report – “Coronavirus Pandemic - Free Legal Assistance and Human Rights Monitoring”, prepared within the framework of a project “Free Legal Advocacy and Human Rights Monitoring after the COVID-19 Pandemic”. The Human Rights Center implemented the project in Tbilisi and five regions of Georgia (Shida Kartli, Kakheti, Kvemo Kartli, Imereti and Samegrelo) with the support of the Embassy of the Netherlands in Georgia. Read more… Source: The website of the organization on a social network

Tbilisi. According to the National Preventive Mechanism Report 2020, patients of mental health institutions are not protected from violence, inhuman or degrading treatment. The cases of ill-treatment in mental health institutions are of various forms, scales and severity. Read more: National Preventive Mechanism Report 2020... Source: ombudsman.ge

Tbilisi. Based on the appeal of the Public Defender of Georgia, LEPL Agency for Regulation of Medical and Pharmaceutical Activities studied the arbitrary treatment of infants with the so-called "Mowgli method" and established illegal medical activity. The examination found that this method is an intervention that poses a risk to the life and health of children, which, especially at an early age, can lead to severe and irreversible complications. Administrative liability has been imposed on the person using this method. Read more... Source: ombudsman.ge

Adjara. UNICEF in partnership with the National Centre for Disease Control and the Ministries of Health and Education of Adjara organized the informational session in Adjara region for the local teachers and medical personnel. The meeting was led by prominent health experts and representatives from the National Center for Disease Control and Public Health, and aimed to inform about COVID-19 vaccination. Read more… Source: The organization’s page on the social network

Abkhazia. USAID/Georgia is providing emergency health assistance to help communities in Abkhazia respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. “Since June 2020, we have partnered with UNICEF to provide 6,000 liters of hand sanitizer and 350 hand sanitizer dispensers to all public schools across Abkhazia. This is just one example of how USAID/Georgia is helping combat COVID-19 in all regions of Georgia, including Abkhazia”. Read more… Source: The organization’s page on the social network

Samtskhe-Javakheti. UNICEF Representative in Georgia, Ghassan Khalil got his first doze of COVID-19 vaccine in Akhaltsikhe within the national immunization plan. "Vaccination is crucial in combating this pandemic which is affecting every one of us and children as well. No one is safe until everyone is safe." - says Dr. Khalil  Read more… Source: The organization’s page on the social network

Tbilisi. UNICEF publishes the article: What you need to know before, during and after receiving a COVID-19 vaccine.  Before you go, do your research. There’s a lot of misinformation about vaccines online, so it’s important to always get your information from trustworthy sources like UNICEF and WHO. Talk to your doctor: If you’ve ever experienced a severe allergic reaction from any vaccine or you have any questions about the medications you are currently taking, talk to your health care provider before your appointment.  Take care of yourself: get a good night’s rest and hydrate well before your vaccination so you can feel your best on the day.  During the appointment: stay safe: make sure to follow safety precautions at the vaccination facility such as physical distancing while waiting and wearing a mask.  Communicate: let the health care professional know if you have any medical conditions that could be considered precautions, such as pregnancy or a compromised immune system. Keep your records: you should receive a vaccination card that tells you which COVID-19 vaccine you received, when you received it and where you received it. After you’ve been vaccinated: stay for monitoring. The health care provider should observe you for about 15 minutes after the vaccine is administered to make sure you don’t have any immediate reactions. However, it is extremely rare for severe health reactions. Be prepared for some side effects. Be patient: Building immunity takes time. Keep yourself and others safe: it is important to continue practicing safety precautions to protect yourself and others, including avoiding crowded spaces, physical distancing, hand washing and wearing a mask. Read more… Source: www.unicef.org

Samtskhe-Javaxeti. UNICEF, with financial support from USAID/Georgia, organized another information session hosted by the representatives from National Center for Disease Control and Public Health, and the prominent health experts, for the Medical personnel in Akhalkalaki. COVID-19 and the immunization process in Georgia were discussed during the meeting. Read more…  Source: The organization’s page on the social network

UNICEF colleagues are getting COVID-19 vaccines under the national immunization plan. "Vaccination is the only way to defeat the pandemic and get back to normal life". Read more… Source: The organization’s page on the social network

Tbilisi. Parents of children with disabilities play many roles in a child’s life. To function effectively in all of these roles, parents need help, and a place to talk to others who have similar life experiences. With this in mind, MAC Georgia and მშობლის სკივრი • Mshoblis Skivri are creating a new kind of ‘community’ for parents of children with cerebral palsy.  The parent’s community group will meet online one evening every two weeks and will consist of a small number of parents with the goal of sharing experiences and information and supporting one another in everyday challenges. The group is only open to parents who have a child with cerebral palsy. If you are a parent of a person with cerebral palsy, have access on the internet and time to join once every two weeks, please follow the link and register… The deadline is May 18. We hope to begin our first group meeting before the end of May 2021. Read more… Source: The organization’s page on the social network