Serbia chooses China for vaccine, Vucic: EU has abandoned us

Flags of Serbia and China at the plane with the first supply of Sinopharm vaccine

 Long queues have formed outside a medical center in Belgrade.

The vaccination program in Serbia is moving fast thanks to the delivery of 1 million doses by China. For those who are vaccinated, the relief is noticeable.

"I finally got the vaccine. I feel very good because I will be able to lead a normal life again. I did not apply for any particular vaccine, I chose a random one and I am happy I did," said Branka Kosuh as reported by Euronews Albania, a resident of Belgrade.

Serbia imports the Sinopharm vaccine, which has also been approved in the Emirates.

The third phase of testing ranked its efficiency between 79 and 86 percent, according to provisional results.

Its acquisition has made the Serb population second in Europe in terms of vaccination, with 4.6 doses per 100 inhabitants, after the United Kingdom but ahead of the major EU countries.

Serbia's alliance with China has deep roots. Beijing has invested heavily in the Balkan country, which hopes to become the hub of the Belt and Road project.

And responding to criticism of his vaccination strategy, President Vucic says he is competing in a global supply war where poor countries are neglected.

 It is as if the world has hit an iceberg, like the Titanic, the richest and richest save themselves and their people. They have prepared expensive lifeboats for them and we who are not rich, but are small like the countries of the Western Balkans, are sinking together with the Titanic. This may not be their goal, but they do not care much," said Aleksandar Vucic, president of Serbia.