MINSK, 18 May (BelTA) – The prime cost of the Sputnik V vaccine is about Br52, Deputy Healthcare Minister – Chief Sanitary Inspector of Belarus Aleksandr Tarasenko told the STV TV channel, BelTA has learned.
“Two components cost approximately Br52. If you multiply it by 5.5 million (the number of people who are to be vaccinated by the end of the year), you will get the total amount. This is just the cost of the vaccine, excluding consumables,” Aleksandr Tarasenko said.
In order to decide what vaccine to purchase, the Healthcare Ministry studied the efficacy of various vaccines, their use in other countries, and registration. Price was one of the criteria, too. “The Pfizer vaccine was originally offered at about $80. I think that not everyone would pay such a price for a vaccine, and for the state it would entail certain expenses,” Aleksandr Tarasenko said.
The Healthcare Ministry set the task to vaccinate at least 60% of the country's population by the end of the year. The 2021-2022 National Vaccination Plan has four stages. “We are at the first and second stages now, and there are four of them. The priority for today is to vaccinate health workers, teachers, social workers and people over 60 years old. The third stage will cover other workers in high risk groups, including transport workers, people working in retail, public catering, consumer services. At the fourth stage, vaccination will extend to the general public,” the chief sanitary doctor informed.
He added that it is highly likely that in the future vaccination against coronavirus will be included in the national immunization schedule.
The study of how long the COVID-19 vaccine-induced immunity will last is still underway. “Taking into consideration that the post-vaccination immunity has not been sufficiently studied, we believe that it will last for up to a year. Mathematical calculations done by manufacturers show that this period may reach even two years. Vaccination plans will be adjusted in Belarus taking into account new updates on post-vaccination immunity,” Aleksandr Tarasenko added.
