The politicians should not influence so much the problems related to the people’s health and should not play with the human lives. In times of a pandemic, any political current should set the priorities right and bring more vaccines from different parts of the world so as to immunize the people and save lives, international public health expert Ala Tocarciuc stated in IPNs’ public debate “Coexistence”, “war” or “diplomacy” of vaccines in the world? Impact on Moldova”.
The expert noted that from medical viewpoint, it is important to provide efficient and safe vaccines for everyone, but the process should not be politicized. More vaccines should be obtained now so as to return to a normal life. The avalanche of information about the adverse events of the AstaZeneca vaccine should be correctly managed as all the vaccines on the market have adverse events.
Three types of vaccines were delivered to Moldova so far: AstaZeneca that came through the COVAX platform and as donations from Romanies, Pfizer through COVAX and the vaccine donated by the United Arab Emirates produced by the Chinese company Sinopharm. Now Moldova gets support from the EU directly, through COVAX, and also through the agency of Romania. The assistance from the Russian Federation is at the level of discussions only.
There are not enough vaccines for everyone and the existing alternatives are considered when a decision as to the provision of vaccines is taken. The same happened with regard to Ukraine and COVAX. Moldova received a first lot through the COVAX platform, while Ukraine did not as it already had 500,000 doses brought from India and it had a delivery alternative. Moldova didn’t have such an alternative. The technical aspects can also become barriers, such as the introduction of liability of the state, not of producers for adverse events.
According to Ala Tocarciuc, Romania has enough vaccines that are provided by the EU and Moldova is situated close to it and, given the situation in the Republic of Moldova, enabling all the Moldovans to vaccinate in Romania is a good solution.
The public debate “Coexistence”, “war” or “diplomacy” of vaccines in the world? Impact on Moldova” is the 181st installment of IPN’s project “Developing Political Culture through Public Debates” that is implemented with support from the Hanns Seidel Foundation.
