The Ministry of Defense has prepared a number of options for action, either for the situation in which it is necessary to help the Ministry of Health and for a possibility to take over the vaccination process completely. The Cabinet will have to decide whether and how much the armed forces will be involved in the process.
The defense industry is prepared to help with mobile vaccination points, including tents and road transport. Medical equipment should be provided by the health sector itself, Pabriks said.
The defense sector is prepared to provide additional staff for the maintenance of vaccination points or administering vaccines. It could also could help with vaccine logistics if carriers don't cope.
On the other hand, if more aid were needed, the defense sector would need to mobilize resources. This should require additional funding and an emergency state in the country, said the politician.
Pabriks believes that taking over the vaccination process would be exaggerated. In addition, civil authorities should be able to act themselves when there are minor shake-ups.
“Because the army can't manage the whole country by itself. The other institutions must also be able to do something,” the Minister added.
