The demand for vaccines has fallen, but orders are increasing: why?
While it is decided where to take money for defense, the hole opens up, where the state itself screams money.
Almost $ 2.7 million The vaccines were disposed of in 2023. year. And this is not the end, because the vaccines continue to travel to Lithuania, and when they are not dislocated and they have to be disposed of. However, the ministry says that the quantities of destroying vaccines are decreasing – they are not calculated in millions, but still hundreds of thousands.
“In 2024, the number of those who have left the shelf life is about 200 thousand. It is not as much as it was in 2023, ”said Laimutė Vaidelienė, Vice -Minister of Health.
The ministry confirms that the real value of the disposed vaccines in 2023 is over 47 million, in 2024. – over $ 4 million. euros.
Photo by A. Ufarto / ELTA
« During the first months of this year, we only vaccinated more than 30 patients, » Vaida Danielė, the head of the Karoliniškės Outpatient Clinic, shared the data.
The National Public Health Center confirms that in recent years, the Covid-19 vaccination has been reduced. Although 135,000 were bought for this season. renewed vaccines, vaccinated about 39 thousand. of the population.
Despite the loss of millions of euros, and those who are in good luck, Lithuania's vaccines in Lithuania will be even more expensive in the coming years. The ministry clarifies that this year we have to receive about 180 thousand. Covid-19 vaccine doses, and in 2026 – almost 100 thousand. more.
« We need to stop the purchase of vaccines and spend that money on defense, » said Remigijus Žemaitaitis, leader of the Nemunas Dawn.
The Minister of Health says it's not that simple.
« The purchase and acquisition of vaccines is scheduled for international treaties in Lithuania, which were accepted during the Covid-19 pandemic peak period, » explained the Minister of Health Marija Jakubauskienė.
“In 2023, the European Commission overdoed the conditions with the manufacturers. The terms of the contracts have become slightly more flexible, which can make the quantities of vaccines slightly lower or extend the order in time until 2026, ”stressed L. Vaidelienė.
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Vaccines are less relieved not only in Lithuania.
« In the European Union countries, Covid-19 vaccines are not as high as the seasonal flu vaccine, » Greta Gargasiene, Advisor to the NVSC infectious Disease Management Division, shared.
The ministry emphasizes that the Covid-19 burden on the health system remains high. 55 deaths have been registered this season – no less life has been killed this season.
8 people died of the flu last week.
“We have 49 deaths throughout the season. These are the highest numbers we have registered – until then the highest number was 27 deaths. Currently, the season has not stopped yet, ”said Gargasiene.
Other European Union countries record increased incidence.
