The Republic of Moldova does not have the possibility of choosing between COVID-19 vaccines as few such vaccines have been authorized so far. The situation can change in time, when there will be more prequalified and approved vaccines. The COVAX platform will provide Moldova with particular amounts of Pfizer and AstraZeneca vaccines. The two vaccines have different particularities. Pfizer, for example, is administered to older people, while AstraZeneca is not recommended to persons older than 65, public health expert Ala Tocarciuc said in IPN’s public debate “COVID-19 pandemic at a crossroads: Lessons learned and lessons to be learned before the vaccination period”.
“The vaccination campaign will have to be adjusted as the first stage of the campaign in Moldova was to cover the medical personnel and persons older than 60. If we get the AstraZeneca vaccine that is not recommended for particular categories, we will have to adjust our national plan,” stated Ala Tocarciuc. She noted that a number of vaccines are being examined, including the Russian vaccine and the Chinese one that was recently approved in China, whose efficiency is different in different countries, but it is good and is indicated to children too. “We don’t know what vaccines will ultimately come to Moldova. We will have to adjust the tactic and to be very flexible.”
Asked how things stand after a year of pandemic, concerning virus mutations, Ala Tocarciuc said COVID-19 is a living organism that tries to adjust itself so as to coexist with humans. A series of vaccines that are close to being approved were invented based on the initial variant of the virus that was deciphered in January 2020. Since then the virus mutated and became more contagious. Now everyone is concentrated on the invented vaccines and sees the initial variant of the vaccine, but the virus comes with other stems from behind and the vaccine is not always efficient.
The expert said the main lesson learned this year is that the pandemic is not over. A lot was done to stop the wave of infections, but the health system and the population should yet remain vigilant and on the alert. “On the one hand, we regrettably do not have access to vaccines in sufficient quantities. We are a small and poor country, but have access to masks and can protect ourselves. On the other hand, for the upcoming vaccination campaign we need a separate team of specialists because those who are involved in daily activities, treat patient and do other things will have to also cope with vaccination and the quality will be thus affected. We still have time to ponder over and to create a separate team for the vaccination process, as all the countries did,” concluded Ala Tocarciuc.
The public debate “COVID-19 pandemic at a crossroads: Lessons learned and lessons to be learned before the vaccination period” is the 170th installment of the series of debates “Developing political culture through public debates” that is supported by the Hanns Seidel Foundation.
