site.btaPrime Minister Borissov: We Won't Allow Political Speculations to Impede Vaccination Rollout

Sofia, March 13 (BTA) - "Bulgaria is observing EU rules and we
wonÒt allow political speculations or geostrategic interests to
impede the vaccination drive in the country," said Prime
Minister Boyko Borissov, quoted by the government information
service. Borissov was speaking during a visit to the
southwestern city of Kyustendil. 

The Prime Minister said that only vaccines which have been
approved by the European Medicine Agency can be delivered in the
 territory of the EU. "This is a market which is very heavily
regulated and no compromises are allowed in Europe," said the
Prime Minister.

Borissov visited Kystendil together with Health Minister
Kostadin Angelov where he saw first hand that the local approach
 to implementing restrictions is effective and allows
flexibility with regards to the local business.

"AstraZeneca was the first company which trialled its vaccine,
which is why Bulgaria ordered it, said Borissov a day after
Bulgaria temporarily suspended use of AstraZeneca vaccine,
following the death  of a 57-year-old woman who was given the
jab.

Borissov said that Bulgaria has ordered four million doses of
the AstraZeneca vaccine but that it pays only for vaccines which
 have been delivered.  "We have assurances that all tests will
be completed by Wednesday,"said Borissov. He added that if the
Russian vaccine Sputnik V is approved by the European Medicines
Agency, Bulgaria will purchase doses from that vaccine. China
has not yet submitted its vaccines for approval in Europe. When
they get approval from the European Medicines Agency, the
country will be able to purchase them, said Borissov.

Health Minister Angelov said he had no concerns about a
connection between the COVID-19 jab and the death of the woman.
However, inoculations with the AstraZeneca vaccine will continue
 once the results of the tests are ready.

In Kyustendil Borissov met with Richard Alibegov, chairman of
the Association of Catering Establishments.

"We only want to work and I think that we are coping well with
the anti-epidemic measures, which we strictly observe,"said
Alibegov. He urged his colleagues to be responsible.

Prime Minister Borissov said that in the coming week, nearly 20
million leva will be paid out under a scheme which compensate
businesses for their decline in sales due to the pandemic. A
total of 156 million leva will be made available under the
scheme. So far 8,157 applications, worth 110 million leva, have
been filed, Currently, a total of 64.3 million leva have been
paid out to 5,440 companies. NV/PP