Croatian President Zoran Milanovic was publicly vaccinated against coronavirus at the Pantovcak presidential office on Thursday, calling on all Croatian citizens to do the same as, he underscored, it is better than get infected with Covid-19.

Milanovic called on all those who were in two minds to get vaccinated, noting that the vaccine certainly helps.

Anyone who consciously decides not to get vaccinated when the vaccine is available and free, takes on the responsibility for their own health, and when a certain number of people are vaccinated, there is less burden on the system, the president said.

He also said that it was not normal for a person who administers vaccination, that is, a doctor, not to get vaccinated themselves.

He stressed that coronavirus was a global challenge especially painful for those who got sick, died and for those who lost their loved ones.

“That is a serious matter, but for most people it is not. That is why life needs to go on in a normal way as much as it is possible, it needs to be treated like something that can be avoided, monitored, something curable, from the viewpoint of social caution, hygiene, and if it happens, it happens,” Milanovic said.

“Be careful, do everything you can and do not worry that it will happen to you,” he said.

Before getting vaccinated he consulted a doctor, he added, stressing that everyone should do that.

“Life goes on, ahead of us is a year when we will have to start over for the umpteenth time… It is encouraging for Croatia that our democracy is quite functional,” Milanovic said.

In addition to President Milanovic, Armed Forces Chief-of-Staff Admiral Robert Hranj also got vaccinated in front of the press at Pantovcak.