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After President Gitan Nausėda refused to convene the State Defense Council for the purchase of vaccines against the coronavirus, the rulers broached the issue: on Tuesday the coalition council of the ruling parties was convened.
“We have presented the options, the opportunities, the risks, and it seems to me that the leaders of all the political parties, at least in the coalition, have realized that the maximum decisions must be made so that our people are safe, healthy Long live and the economy is not hampered. “, – commented the Prime Minister.
After meeting with the coalition partners, S. Skvernelis said an opinion is being formed on the purchase of vaccines. Lithuania, like most countries, may be involved in the procurement of all investigational vaccines approved at the European level.
“It may be that we, like apparently most countries, participate in all the tests because there is no guarantee. We can, let’s say, choose two sources, two directions, and they will be, perhaps, unsuccessful, ”said the Head of Government.
According to him, there are seven companies that test vaccines against the coronavirus.
“It just came to our knowledge then. We can choose two, if we don’t get it right, we will run out of vaccine,” said S. Skvernelis.
Russia has announced that its scientists have succeeded in developing a vaccine against COVID-19. The Prime Minister stressed that acquisitions from this state are not considered.
The National Security Commission of the Government convened by S. Skvernelis will also discuss today what solutions to propose to the Cabinet of Ministers, which will meet tomorrow.
Health Minister Aurelius Veryga has said that the purchase of COVID-19 vaccines could cost more than 100 million. euros.
Photo by Julius Kalinskas / 15min / Ramunas Karbauskis and Saulius Skvernelis
According to S. Skvernelis, these are the first figures. Said amount, according to him, is the maximum possible, which can be less both several and several times.
The source of funds for the purchase of vaccines is the state budget. When asked which areas can suffer as a result, S. Skvernelis emphasized that no one will suffer.
“We think about who suffered when we stopped the economy. What were the daily losses? This is several times more than the declared amount, “he said.
When can you expect a vaccine? “Depending on the success of the companies that are developing vaccines today,” said the head of government.
Lithuania, along with other European Union countries, funds vaccine research. According to S. Skvernel, it is believed that these vaccines may appear between December and the third quarter of next year.
The prices of the vaccines that are currently being investigated, according to the prime minister, range between 3 and more than 18 euros.
Unvaccinated people have different conditions.
According to S. Skvernelis, it is believed that around 70 percent of the Lithuanian population could be vaccinated against COVID-19.
There are states that do not allow entry to their territory to people who have not been vaccinated against certain diseases. For example, when going to Brazil, it is necessary to get vaccinated against the yellow butterfly and the like.
“If we really are successful in this and the vaccine is effective, then in the event of outbreaks – second and third waves – we don’t know who will be there with the virus, we won’t have to shut down the country, the economy, shut down or isolate ourselves.” That means it will be a condition. If we go back to talking about the bubble of travel and cooperation, it is natural that the person who will receive the vaccine has completely different travel, communication and business conditions than the one who will be in the risk group ”, S. Skvernelis emphasized.
Plan what to vaccinate first
A.Veryga explained that the most advanced research of the company “AstraZeneca” vaccine, for which the purchase contract was signed by the European Commission.
Another couple of manufacturers, according to the Minister of Health, are in the second or third stage of clinical trials for vaccines.
Reuters / Scanpix Photo / Coronavirus Vaccine
Although the COVID-19 vaccine has yet to be developed, there are already plans to vaccinate it first. According to A.Veryga, as in the case of influenza vaccines, the coronavirus vaccine would be vaccinated mainly by doctors, the elderly and people with certain chronic diseases. One of those diseases is diabetes.
G.Nausėda refused to shout VGT
S.Svvernelis told reporters at the Seimas on Tuesday morning that Decisions about the purchase of COVID-19 vaccines will be made at a government meeting on Wednesday..
To address the issue of purchasing a coronavirus vaccine, S. Skvernelis also convened a meeting of the Government’s National Security Commission on Tuesday.
Photo by Julius Kalinskas / 15min / Gitanas Nausėda
In the first place, it was sought to discuss this issue in the State Defense Council (VGT). However, G. Nausėda refused to convene their meeting.
Darius Kuliešius, adviser to the president on National Security, explained that the Minister of Health is responsible for purchasing the coronavirus vaccine..
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