At the same time, Pavļuts acknowledged that the start of vaccination depends on the amount of vaccines supplied to Latvia.
The Minister of Health said that a total of 100,609 Covid-19 vaccine doses have been used in Latvia so far. Of these, 82,430 are first doses, while 18,180 people have received both doses. In total, 128,535 doses of vaccine from different manufacturers have been delivered to Latvia so far.
More than 14,738 doses of vaccines were administered last week, on average around 2,105 doses daily.
In view of the decision to temporarily suspend vaccination with AstraZeneca vaccines in Latvia, this week it is planned to vaccinate significantly fewer people – only 4,000 all week, the Minister for Health said.
The Minister explained that on March 15, 1,119 doses of the BioNTech/Pfizer vaccine were received, 2,400 doses of AstraZeneca are expected on March 19, reduced from the previously promised 15,400 doses, while 16,800 Moderna vaccines are expected on March 21.
The volume of vaccines delivered to Latvia is expected to be significantly higher in the second quarter.
Depending on the supply, it will be decided when to start the work of the major vaccination centers. It is currently planned that centers in Rīga and several cities outside the capital will start in the first week of April, but the actual launch will take place once the necessary vaccines have been received.
The vaccination process will also involve the National Armed Forces (NBS) in both administering and coordination processes. On the other hand, if there is a crisis, the involvement of the NBS will be wider, including by assisting with the logistics, storage of vaccines, the minister said.
