The vector-based, protein-based or inactivated COVID-19 vaccines are more attractive to the Republic of Moldova than the mRNA vaccines that necessitate financial resources for ensuring the cold chain. The approval of the control bodies is a priority in selecting the vaccine, IPN reports, quoting the Ministry of Health.

The Ministry noted that to bring the COVID-19 vaccines to Moldova, an application was submitted to COVAX on December 7. Moldova also applied to the cost-sharing program of the COVAX platform through which it could benefit from more advantageous prices, if COVAX supplies over 20% of the population with free vaccines. According to the latest information published on the COVAX platform, Moldova and other states could benefit from shots starting with the second quarter of 2021.

In accordance with the requirements, there were signed and presented forms A and B, while the vaccine delivery plan and the communication strategy will be approved on January 15. Frontline healthcare workers and persons older than 60 with comorbidies will be immunized the first.

In a TV program, President Maia Sandu said the Ministry of Heath, Labor and Social Protection didn’t take concrete steps for one of the COVID-19 vaccines validated at international level to reach the national hospitals. But Moldova could have had the vaccine now if the Ministry had been ready.