Deputy Minister of Health of Georgia, Tamar Gabunia, made a statement regarding the rumors that Georgia failed to meet the requirements to receive the Coronavirus vaccine.
“It was reported today that Georgia did not meet the readiness requirements. We applied to COVAX half an hour ago and asked for an explanation for the statement made on InterpressNews. In the letters we have received, this is in reference to the letter of February 22, in which the reason for the postponement is indicated by the inclusion of an additional request by Pfizer, which is not related to the readiness of the country,” the deputy minister said.
According to Gabunia, Georgia approved the vaccine plan on January 21, thus proving its readiness to receive the vaccine.
Georgia learned about the new requirements from COVAX mid-February, and these requirements are not related to the country’s technical readiness. The Ministry of Health is waiting for a phone call, according to which the conditions for receiving the vaccine will be decided. Gabunia noted that technical and legal readiness already exists in the country.
Gabunia noted that the Center for Disease Control will pay for the first doses of AstraZeneca by the end of the week, which will then begin to be imported.
“The stage of payment has already been set for AstraZeneca. We are buying AstraZeneca through UNICEF. UNICEF’s delivery mechanism is experienced, the Centers for Disease Control will pay for the first doses by the end of the week, which will gradually enter the country. The delivery schedule will be further specified, as we are still working with COVAX in this regard,” Gabunia said.
By Ketevan Skhirtladze
