Skopje, 28 July 2021 (MIA) – We have no alternative to enforcing some restrictions. Measures for unvaccinated citizens, aiming to protect the entire population, will be discussed more thoroughly in August, Health Minister Venko Filipche said on Wednesday. “We’ve seen that absence of vaccines can result in restrictions, curfew, etc. We’re monitoring the situation in other countries as well, and see that companies want their employees to get vaccinated to restore normal activity. We’ll protect public health by possibly introducing restrictions at mass gatherings, public events, public venues, etc.,” the Minister said during a visit to the Bitola’s Clinical Hospital. He underlined that North Macedonia has the highest vaccination rate in the region. “I hope this trend will prevail. Some 33,000 Bitola residents have been vaccinated, of who 23,000 with both doses. Vaccination here will resume at the vaccination site within the local health home, which has been fully renovated. The vaccination rate has been exceptionally high over the past week and I hope it will remain so,” Filipche told reporters. The Minister added that stakeholders don’t yet have a plan in regard to mandatory vaccination of children and adults. “We’re thinking about measures aimed at both children and adults in places where there’s high risk of large gatherings, but are yet to discuss them. We want these measures to be well-though-out and ensure life resumes as normal. Neither people nor the economy can take any more restrictions, especially now that there are enough vaccines available,” the Health Minister stressed. He added that every Monday 20,000-30,000 vaccines are delivered to North Macedonia, some procured via direct contract with Pfizer, while others provided by EU member states. Filipche underlined that some 700,000 Pfizer jabs are expected to arrive in the country in Q3 and Q4, adding that there are enough vaccines available already. “63% of citizens over the age of 70, as well as 45% of those over 50 have been inoculated,” he said.