According to Mihail Kõlvart, Estonia will need large quantities of the vaccine as early as autumn
The Mayor of Tallinn, Mihail Kõlvart, considers it necessary to start negotiations with Russia for the supply of a coronavirus vaccine to Estonia in autumn. He said this on Monday on the air of the TV channel ETV+.
“We have said a lot that vaccines are not a political topic, so we need to move from words to deeds and negotiate with Russia, among others”, – he said. – “There are other options, there is China. It is necessary to get involved now, as other countries are doing. Otherwise, we may end up far behind when the need arises”.
Kõlvart emphasized that Estonia will need large quantities of vaccine as early as autumn.
“Not many people think about the fact that vaccination is a temporary measure”, – he explained. – “In six or eight months we will need a second round of vaccination and many scientists believe that the virus will be with us for several years and that vaccination will be necessary every year. We already know now that there is a shortage of vaccine promptly, and there may not be enough in the future. This is why many European countries are now organising direct deliveries, including from third countries, in addition to a general order from the European Union.”
On March 3, Estonian President Kersti Kaljulaid announced that if the Russian vaccine Sputnik V or the preparation by Chinese company Sinovac Biotech is registered in Europe and found safe, they will be used in the Baltic Republic. Earlier, Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas said that the government would consider using the Sputnik V vaccine if it is approved by the European Medicines Agency (EMA).
Vaccination against coronavirus began in Estonia on December 27 last year and 52 664 people have so far received two doses. The total number of those infected in the country has reached 86 086 and 728 patients have died.