Moldova might receive 700,000 doses of BioNTech/Pfizer vaccine in next September-October

Chisinau, 19 May /MOLDPRES/ - The cabinet of ministers have ruled the allocation of 2.2 million lei from the government’s emergency funds for the families of the medical staff who died in the fight with the COVID-19 virus. Therefore, 22 families will benefit from a one-off allowance worth 100,000 lei, the government’s communication and protocol department has reported.   

Under the document, the financial assistance will be provided to the relatives of the medical employees, whose death occurred after 17 March 2020 because of the complications triggered by Covid-19. The financial support is exempted from the income tax and the payment of mandatory social insurances contributions.  

„This is the first decision of this kind. Even in the conditions of an acting cabinet, Moldova’s government observes its commitments taken before the families of the medical staff who died in the fight against Covid-19. Respecting and paying homage to the physicians who died in the fight with this pandemic and as far as possible, we ruled to allocate a first installment for these families,’’ acting Prime Minister Aureliu Ciocoi said.  

The acting cabinet approved a draft decision, which provides for the negotiation by the Health, Labour and Social Protection Ministry (MSMPS) and ordering of a consignment of 700,000 doses of anti-COVID-19 vaccine, produced by the BioNTech/Pfizer Company. According to the document, the batch of vaccines for the residents’ immunization is to be supplied to Moldova in September-October this year.  

„This is an important decision and if we manage to purchase the consignment of 700,000 doses of vaccine, then this implies that 350,000 people will be vaccinated with two doses,’’ Aureliu Ciocoi said.  

The cabinet of ministers also ruled the allocation of 150,000 lei from the government’s intervention fund for the evacuation of 31 Moldova’s citizens from the Gaza Strip. It is about seven women and 24 children, who need authorities’ intervention to leave the region bombed with rockets launched in Israel for 19 days already.  

photo: Government