“Given that there are differences of opinions between the parties forming the government and there is no agreement on the further direction of the draft law, the Ministry of Health is currently postponing this issue,” said Pūce.
Justice Minister Jānis Bordāns (New Conservative Party (JKP)) said that although the JKP considers that “to promote economic development, economic activity and population prosperity” in the context of the Covid-19 pandemic vaccination is the only way out, the party will not support the vaccination lottery. “Let us support any other effective form of encouragement for vaccination,” Bordāns said.
However, Pūce said that during the cooperation meeting, the Minister for Health, Daniels Pavļuts, (Development/For!), had emphasized the need for measures to promote vaccination. In the Minister's view, such measures are needed now and will be even more needed in the future. Accordingly, at Tuesday's government meeting, VM will offer a draft decision on granting additional funding to family doctors' practices in order to encourage more vaccination.
“But such steps may not be enough. Sooner or later, both the Saeima and the government will have to decide on individual promotion measures. It is a pity that the vaccination lottery will not happen at this time. I can say, my personal opinion is sooner or later we will come back to it,” said Pavļuts.
The Prime Minister Krišjānis Kariņš said: “I can agree with those who believe that if not in this way, then perhaps in other ways we have to look at [..] what incentive measures we could take.”
