Roma as a Venerable Population Group and the Development of an Indicative Vaccination Program for the COVID-19

ABSTRACT

The COVID-19 pandemic has shown in the most compelling way the need to vaccinate socially vulnerable and minority groups of the population. Factors that make their ability to participate in medical care limited or not accessible at all, expose them to a higher risk of being infected and getting sick from COVID-19. One of these groups with high rates of morbidity and mortality are the Roma population. Their inclusion in vaccination programs is extremely important because it protects them as a vulnerable group, protects society as a whole, builds a protective shield against the risk of disease spreading, helps to decongest the health system and contributes to the acquisition of collective immunity. In order to achieve the vaccination goal, the collaboration of the state with the Public Health bodies as well as with the various stakeholders (Non-Governmental Organizations, municipalities, etc.) is deemed necessary. As regards the Roma population, the implementation of a vaccination program follows the five steps of the decision-making process. At a time when the pandemic highlighted as the first priority the strengthening of the public health system, special importance must be given to social cohesion and to equal accessibility to health care system for all, in order to protect the whole of society.