Latvia abandoned the purchase of almost 350 thousand doses of the ModernA vaccine, reports Russian broadcasting LTV7. At the end of last year, when it was possible to qualify for additional goods of the drug - experts decided not to buy it. In fact, repeating its own mistake with the purchase of vaccines from Pfizer, the rejection of which is now investigated by the second commission.
Latvia, among another 15 European countries, refused to purchase additional approximately 350 thousand doses of the MODERNA vaccine. Russian broadcast found it in the documents that the Hungarian authorities recently unveiled.
Back at the end of November last year, the European Commission signed a contract for the purchase of 80 million doses of MODERNA vaccine with the ability to order an additional 80 million doses. Latvia was due to 0.45% - it is 350 thousand doses. And as much as you need. The decision on additional procurement was to be taken at the end of last year.
However, in early January, the State Agency of Drugs declares that this year, from January to September, Latvia will receive a little less than 350,000 doses of modernity. That is, only the main party will come. And where are another 350 thousand? Refused?
Above the answer, the Ministry of Health and the Supporting National Health Service thought for three days: "The question of how many doses of the Moderna vaccine should be ordered, considered the Working Party, consisting of representatives of the Ministry of Health. It was on November 30th. A decision was made to order 336,566 doses of vaccine, "said the National Health Service.
That is, they ordered the main batch. From additional purchases in November really refused.
The National Health service explained that Latvia would receive additional doses only in the third and fourth quarters of this year.
Although from documents that promulgated the authorities of Hungary follows that rather since the second quarter. That is from April.
The position of Minister of Health at that time occupied Ilze Winkel. But she refused comments.
On February 17 of this year, the European Commission signs the second contract with the modern. According to him, Latvia can apply for about 700 thousand doses.
As Russian broadcast managed to find out in the National Health Service, 631 thousand doses are really ordered. But it will not come soon.
"This batch of Latvia can receive in the third and fourth quarters of this year, but must be reckoned with the fact that vaccine supplies may vary. It depends on the manufacturer's capabilities to ensure the availability of vaccines, "said in the National Health Service.
The institution added that Latvia will receive 167,123 doses of the ModernA vaccine. The drugs of the European Union will be shaked with us, the process will lead Sweden.
Thus, Latvia today submitted an application for 6,246,206 vaccines. Of these, they received a little more than 100 thousand to Mart.
MODERNA vaccines, if shipments are not delayed, more than 1 million should be received. And could - 350 thousand more. And perhaps before.
How many of these more than six million will really receive the country - not clear.
I will add, in the pace of vaccination, Latvia is now dividing the last two places in the EU with Bulgaria. Among all three countries of the Baltic in the very beginning of the vaccine campaign, we are in the last place by the number of vaccinated.