Bulgaria’s Health Minister Has Final Say on AstraZeneca Vaccine

The AstraZeneca vaccine will not be administered to women under 60 with a higher risk of thrombosis. All individuals who have received a first dose of this vaccine and have not experienced side effects may be reimmunized with the same vaccine, said Minister of Health Prof. Kostadin Angelov, during a briefing, Novini.bg reported.

"We need to complete immunization program one way or another. Clinical trials are underway," the health minister said.

Meanwhile 62,010 extra doses of COVID-19 vaccines arrived in Bulgaria

"We will make the necessary arrangements so that the second doses are given to those who received the first ones," Prof. Angelov pledged.  

"Any doctor who interviews the patient knows what the risks of thrombosis are and medics should take that into account and warn the patients," he added.

State Chief Health Inspector, Assoc. Prof. Angel Kunchev noted that the trend towards decline in morbidity rate continues.

"On the basis of monitoring data on the rate of hospitalizations, number of patients in serious condition and discharges, recommendations will be given to the authorities  regarding further anti-epidemic measures," he said.

Prof. Dr. Mariana Murdzheva, Member of the vaccination task force and Rector of Plovdiv Medical University, added that immunization, regardless of the vaccine choice, aims to help patients develop antibodies and immunity against the coronavirus.

"The only way to complete immunization with AstraZeneca is to give patients a second shot. If you do not have any side effects with AstraZeneca after the first dose, you have no reason not to get vaccinated with the same vaccine," she added.

"We are ready to open additional vaccination slots (the so-called “green lanes”) in May because there will be sufficient doses of vaccines for all. In June, there will be the possibility of administering 50,000 doses of vaccines a day.

"If people do not fall into the risk groups, if they were given AstraZeneca vaccine and do not have any adverse effects, then we recommend a second dose of AstraZeneca to know that their immunization cycle is completed. What we are doing at the moment to achieve a higher level of immune response is administering a second shot of Pfizer after the first of AstraZeneca. But this should be done no earlier than 82 days after the first dose," Prof. Kostadin Angelov said further.

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