MINSK, 9 December (BelTA) – Br50 million will be earmarked for the purchase of a coronavirus vaccine in 2021, Tatiana Astreiko, head of the main department for social sector and science financing at the Finance Ministry, told the media following the on-site meeting of the Presidium of the Council of the Republic to discuss the proposed measures to ensure balanced national and local budgets in 2021, BelTA has learned.
“We are ready to fight the coronavirus infection. This year, about Br500 million has already been allocated for these purposes in the form of direct payments. We are ready to keep confronting the pandemic next year, too. For example, Br50 million is to be transferred to the Healthcare Ministry for the purchase of two million doses of the coronavirus vaccine,” Tatiana Astreiko said.
She noted that the cost of coronavirus treatment, depending on the severity of the disease, ranges from Br300 to Br3,300 per patient. “The vaccine costs Br30 per person, thus this will make all the difference in the world. We will be able not only to develop collective immunity, but also to save a lot of money that could be re-directed to build up the capacity of the entire health system,” she added.