Students actually do want to get the COVID-19 vaccine, but the majority say they want Pfizer, arguing that it also opens the door to traveling abroad.

“Is there a difference between Pfizer and AstraZeneca? In my opinion not, but I need to get Pfizer because I’ve been planning to travel abroad and that is why I need that, considering that the other vaccines are not recognized”, told us a student.

A medical team positioned near the Faculty of Economics tells us that they are administering AstraZeneca with over 8,000 students showing up to get the first jab. However, they say that the majority prefers to go to the stadium, the main vaccine center in Tirana, where various jabs are being offered, including Pfizer.

Many students hoped that vaccines wouldn’t be mandatory in auditoriums, declaring that this was the main reason why they delayed getting the jab.

“I was actually waiting for a while thinking that perhaps we would be allowed to go to university without getting the vaccine. In case I wouldn’t do the vaccine, I’d present the PCR test, but online classes are not the right solution, but neither making vaccines mandatory”, said another student.

Students claim that they became more hesitant when learning that vaccines would be obligatory.

“It would have been much easier if we had the chance to choose for ourselves, maybe I would be more inclined to get it”, declared another student.

This will be the last week that students have a chance to get the vaccine, as the new academic year begins on Monday.