Starting today, October 20, residents of Vilnius can get free potassium iodide tablets to protect the body from the harmful effects of radioactive iodine in the pharmacy chains "Eurovaistinė", "Camelia", "Gintarinė vaistinė", "Norfos vaistinė" and "Benu". case. Tablets will be issued to all residents who have declared their place of residence in the city of Vilnius and submitted a document confirming their identity. Potassium iodide tablets are distributed to residents as a preventive measure due to the soon-to-be-started operation of the Astrav nuclear power plant (NPP) in Belarus. They are designed to protect the thyroid gland from the harmful effects of radioactive iodine.
"We are glad that we managed to find a solution with the ministry and distribute it smoothly potassium iodide tablets for the residents of the big city. We distribute the preparation with the help of pharmacies that join it in good faith. Although the risk of an accident is very low and we hope that there will be no need to use these tablets, the city's residents need to be prepared," says Vilnius city municipalities director of administration Povilas Poderskis.
Distributed in the main pharmacy chains
It should be noted that e. a prescription issued by a public institution, the Center Polyclinic, is a centralized prescription that is legally required to be performed by this personal health care institution. The center polyclinic is already finishing issuing the last e. to receive prescriptions for potassium iodide tablets free of charge for all residents who have declared their place of residence in the city of Vilnius. Residents will be able to pick up pills at the major pharmacy chains "Camelia", "Eurovaistinė", "Gintarinė vaistinė", "Norfos vaistinė" and "Benu" after presenting an identity card. Along with potassium iodide tablets, residents will receive instructions for use in Lithuanian, Russian, Polish and English.
We would like to draw the residents' attention to the fact that electronic prescriptions for potassium iodide preparations are issued automatically. Therefore, there is no need to go to medical institutions. Just go to the pharmacy and present your ID. The e-prescription is valid for 30 days, that is until November 17.
It is emphasized that Vilnius residents should use potassium iodide tablets only in the event of a nuclear accident in a neighboring country and only if such recommendations are made by competent state institutions.
A declared place of residence in the city of Vilnius is required
Persons living in Vilnius, but who have not declared their place of residence in the capital, will not be able to receive tablets for free. Those who are unable to do so for any reason will be able to purchase potassium iodide tablets at pharmacies at their own expense.
If the patient cannot go to the pharmacy himself due to objective reasons (for example, disability), the patient's representative can pick up the potassium iodide tablets belonging to him by presenting the identity document of the represented person at the pharmacy.
What to do in case of an emergency
The municipality reminds that the nuclear power plant starting operation in Belarus is 45 km from Vilnius. The capital of Lithuania falls within a 100 km radius zone, whose residents would be recommended to use potassium iodide tablets in the event of a nuclear power plant accident. If an accident were to occur at the Belarusian nuclear power plant, during which radioactive materials would enter the environment, the Lithuanian authorities would inform the population immediately. In the event of a nuclear accident, the residents of Vilnius would be warned about it in three ways: by loud sirens, short warning messages to mobile phones and through radio, television and other means of public information. In the event of such an emergency, it is recommended to lock yourself indoors and wait for notifications from state authorities on what actions and measures to take to reduce the risk. At this stage, residents would also be informed about the need to take potassium iodide tablets.
In the event of a nuclear accident, the population is evacuated within a radius of 30 km from the reactor. Since Vilnius is at a greater distance from the Belarusian NPP (45 km), in the event of an emergency, Vilnius residents should first stay at home, not go outside, follow information on radio and television and wait for further instructions: whether to take pills, wear protective respiratory equipment, evacuate, etc. .
