The National Extraordinary Public Health Commission on January 13 approved the national COVID-19 immunization plan in a bid to reduce morbidity and mortality due to the novel coronavirus. The plan was worked out with the assistance and recommendations of the World Health Organization, the European Center for Disease Prevention and UNICEF, IPN reports.

According to the Government, the implementation of the plan will ensure the safe and efficient administration of COVID-19 vaccines to persons in Moldova who want or are recommended to be immunized. About 571,000 lab tests to detect the SARS-Cov-2 virus have been done in Moldova since the start of the pandemic. The persons of the 60-69 age bracket are the most susceptible ones, representing 20.6% of the patients confirmed with the infection.

At the first stage, there will be vaccinated the personnel of public health facilities. The second stage will cover the adults older than 60 and persons with comorbidities, police employees and others, while the third stage will embrace the general population, regardless of age.

Initially, the Republic of Moldova through the agency of COVAX will receive COVID-19 vaccines for 20% of the country’s population, for both sides of the Nistru, free of charge. Moldova also asked for shots for another 30% of the population at preferential prices, with all the additional costs included, through the Cost-Sharing COVAX program. Also, Moldova is in the process of obtaining vaccines donated by the EU and other states. The COVID-19 vaccine will be administered at public health facilities free of charge.

In the meeting of the National Extraordinary Public Health Commission, acting Prime Minister Aureliu Ciocoi requested specialists of the Ministry of Health to contact counterparts in Israel so as to exchange experience and good practices in administrating the vaccine.