Epidemiologists on Wednesday started vaccinating residents of the central Croatian town of Petrinja against COVID-19 with Moderna's vaccine.

As this is the area that was recently struck by a devastating earthquake, the risk of COVID spreading has increased, so it was decided that the first shipment of 3,600 doses of the Moderna vaccine would be sent to Petrinja.

About eighty medical staff in the area were vaccinated first, followed by citizens aged 65 or older. After Petrinja, vaccination of medical staff in nearby Popovaca will ensue.

Considering that it was difficult to abide by epidemiological measures in the earthquake-stricken areas during rescue missions, clear-up operations and with people temporarily put up in collective accommodation, it was decided that this area should be given priority for vaccination.

About 3,400 people in Sisak-Moslavina County have so far been vaccinated against COVID-19.