There will be enough Covid-19 vaccines for all: Health Minister Kostadin Angelov

“All Bulgarian citizens who wish to be vaccinated against Covid-19 will be able to do so,” said Minister of Health Kostadin Angelov during a visit to the town of Gotse Delchev.

He announced that 11,200 people have been inoculated so far. As to fears that there won’t be enough vaccines for all, Minister Angelov stated that besides the BioNTech/Pfizer and Moderna vaccines, 4.5 million AstraZeneca vaccine doses are expected as well. The first shipment of these vaccines will be of 500,000 doses. The European Medicines Agency is expected to make its decision on the AstraZeneca vaccine by the end of January.

Vaccination of teachers against Covid-19 to start next week in Bulgaria

Bulgaria's Ministry of Education has compiled lists of teachers willing to be vaccinated against Covid-19. Their vaccination will start next week. This was stated by the Minister of Health Kostadin Angelov in the town of Simitli during a tour with Prime Minister Boyko Borissov.

According to the National Vaccination Plan against Covid-19, teachers are part of the second phase of vaccination, along with workers in social institutions and workers on mink farms.

Side effects of Covid-19 vaccines similar to flu vaccines’ side effects

In a best-case scenario, 1.5 million Bulgarians will be vaccinated by August, Director of the National Center for Infectious and Parasitic Diseases Professor Todor Kantardzhiev told Nova TV. The side effects of the COVID-19 vaccines are similar to the flu vaccines' side effects, Professor Kantardzhiev contends.

Professor Kantardzhiev was asked about the Russian vaccine and whether Bulgaria could buy it. "In order for a drug to be registered in Bulgaria, the manufacturer must submit documents to the Bulgarian Drug Agency. However, Bulgaria does not need the Russian vaccine at this point, because the EU has ordered sufficient quantities for Bulgaria", Professor Kantardzhiev went on to say.

Bulgaria reports 867 new cases of Covid-19 out of 9,911 tests performed

867 new cases of Covid-19 have been confirmed in Bulgaria in the past 24 hours out of 9,911 tests performed, data of the Single Coronavirus Information Portal show.

The total number of people infected with Covid-19 since the beginning of the pandemic reached 207,259. There are 69,051 active cases of coronavirus infection at present. 4,250 patients are in hospitals, 377 of whom in intensive care units.

A total of 1,402 people have recovered in the past 24 hours, thus bringing the total number of Covid-19 recoveries to 130,191.

56 patients have died in the past 24 hours. The total number of Covid-19 deaths reached 8,017.

11,117 Bulgarians have already been vaccinated. 3,204 people have been inoculated in the past 24 hours.

Covid-19 vaccine production capacity faces challenges

We are witnessing some weaknesses in terms of the production capacity of Covid-19 vaccines. Investments must be made in this direction, European Commissioner for Innovation, Culture, Education and Youth Mariya Gabriel told BNR's Horizont channel.

Regarding vaccination imbalances in the EU countries, Commissioner Gabriel said it was the responsibility of the Member States themselves. "The European Commission has fulfilled its obligation to deliver the vaccines to all EU countries at the same time. It is also important to provide information constantly, because we have been witnessing vaccine distrust", Mariya Gabriel added. “There are such discussions, but in my view, we should wait and approach the issue very carefully”, Commissioner Gabriel said in response to the question whether the Covid-19 vaccine could become a visa to enter a European country.

As of next week arrivals in England will have to present negative coronavirus test

As of 11 January, inbound passengers arriving in England by boat, plane or train will have to take a test up to 72 hours before departing the country they are in, to help protect against the new strains of coronavirus such as those seen in Denmark and South Africa, after which they will be subject to 10 days of mandatory self-isolation, the British Department for Transport has announced.

Prior to departure passengers will need to present proof of a negative COVID-19 test result to carriers, as well as their passenger locator form. The UK Border Force will conduct spot checks on arrival into England to ensure that passengers are fully compliant.

Similar requirements may soon be introduced by Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Compiled by Gergana Mancheva

You can find all stories and important publications related to Covid-19 in Bulgaria at our special coverage section in English.

You can also follow all latest updates on the coronavirus outbreak and all measures in Bulgaria in 9 more languages at Radio Bulgaria.

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Covid-19 in Bulgaria: Day 307

There will be enough Covid-19 vaccines for all: Health Minister Kostadin Angelov

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