Bulgaria To Destroy 1.4 Million Doses Of COVID-19 Vaccine
Bulgaria’s caretaker Minister of Health, Assen Medjidiev, says about 1.4 million doses of Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine will be destroyed.
The Minister said the government succeeded in having the European Commission negotiate on its behalf to buy fewer doses from Pfizer which he says removes the state’s obligation to receive vaccines that it will have to destroy.
He noted, they have saved the state BGN 188 million from vaccines, which otherwise would have been paid for in June and destroyed.
According to the minister, the money will now be used to build a children’s hospital, as well as a hotel and rehabilitation centre within the hospital.
The renegotiated contract between Pfizer and the European Commission gives Bulgaria the option to order new doses when needed and to pay for them when they get delivered.
According to Medjidiev, if the fee to visit a GP is increased, this should be borne by the state rather than the patient.
The Minister reported that the first helicopter ambulances will arrive in Bulgaria earlier than planned. The procedure for leasing the helicopters has been completed and was won by an Italian company.
The first two helicopters on lease are expected to arrive in late June or early July. The first helicopter purchased is expected to be delivered in December, and next year Bulgaria will receive two more.
