Health Minister: In Bulgaria, the Astra Zeneca vaccine will be given to over-55s as well

Bulgaria’s Minister of Health, Prof. Kostadin Angelov, launched a programme for the development of emergency medical care. The start was given on February 9 in the town of Byala, near Rousse, where the project envisages the construction of an entirely new building for the branch of the emergency medical unit.

Minister Angelov told reporters that there is a certain increase in the number of coronavirus patients in Bulgaria, but he will wait until Thursday, when there will be data for the two-week period.

"If the numbers on a 14-day basis are below 200 per 100,000 people, we will not take any action, as these existing soft anti-epdemic measures are currently working," he said.

The Minister said that the vaccines arrive regularly and the country has enough vaccines.

All amounts of Astra Zeneca vaccine received so far will be administered as a first dose

Yesterday, the Vaccination Headquarters made a clear and unequivocal decision that Bulgaria will administer the Astra Zeneca vaccine to adult patients over the age of 55, over the age of 65, as these are the recommendations of European experts from the European Medicines Agency. Everything else is the result of different types of decisions that are not based on medical facts and results," the minister said.

He confirmed that vaccines have been provided for all those who will service the entire election process - members of election commissions, police, etc.

Angelov also said that antigen test results will not required for entry into Bulgaria. Only negative PCR test will be required for entry in the country.

After the sod turning ceremony for the start of the project for the new building of the emergency medical unit in Byala, the minister announced that a project is being discussed for establishing at least 10 large hospitals across the country, which will be completely identical. The idea is for the state to direct its efforts to modernize these hospitals with equipment and sufficient medical staff. Thus, patients will be able to receive adequate medical care in each of these 10 hospitals, said Prof. Angelov.

However, he emphasised that one of the main problems facing the sector is providing medical specialists. "We have a serious shortage," the minister admitted.

As part of the project launched today, 237 sites of the emergency medical care system will be completely renovated and modernised, including the 27 emergency medical care centres with their 170 branches, 6 outsourced teams in the municipalities, as well as the 34 emergency departments in the state medical institutions.

The main goal of the project is to provide appropriate and effective health infrastructure, contributing to improving the quality and safety of medical care, including improving access for people with disabilities, he said.

The total budget of the project is nearly BGN 164 million. Almost BGN 400,000 come from national co-financing, the remaining funds are provided by the European Regional Development Fund.