Romania's health minister wants to block vaccine exports

Romanian health minister Florian Bodog yesterday said that he had asked the Economy Ministry to notify the European Commission to block vaccine exports. Bodog also said that he would ask for the freezing of other drug exports next week. The freezing of exports should apply to all medicines that are provided in the national health programs or in oncology programs, and medicines for children with leukemia. “For all the medicines that disappear from the market, (...) are not in pharmacies or can’t be supplied in time,” the minister added. Bodog explained that the Health Ministry has taken all the steps to purchase the vaccines and awaits delivery of the first batch for the ten counties where vaccines are missing. Prime Minister Sorin Grindeanu also referred to the vaccine crisis and said that the authorities need to make sure that vaccines are available on the market before starting information campaigns or making vaccination mandatory. He added that he has vaccinated his two children and each time he had difficulties in finding the needed vaccines. editor@romania-insider.com