Moldova failed to procure meningitis vaccines, Health Minister explains the reasons
The Moldovan authorities have failed to finalize a transaction for the procurement of meningitis vaccine, despite setting aside nearly five million lei for the purchase of 5,000 doses this year.
According to Minister of Health Ala Nemerenco, no vaccine suppliers have registered for the auctions organized this year, as our market is small and not attractive to economic agents.
In light of this situation, the Agency for Medicines and Medical Devices (AMDM) has directly contacted the largest manufacturer of the meningitis vaccine, and negotiations are currently underway.
"Planning for vaccine production occurs at the end of the year for the following year. The supplier is currently discussing arrangements with a country that purchased a larger quantity of vaccines this year, aiming to return a portion so they can resell it to us. We must assure them that we will have a contract in place to purchase vaccines for several years," Ala Nemerenco explained following today's government meeting.
The Minister emphasized that the objective of vaccinating children against this dangerous disease remains unchanged.
"We remain optimistic because our goal—vaccinating children in the Republic of Moldova against meningitis, a very dangerous disease that often results in death—will be achieved," Nemerenco stated.
We remind you that the Republic of Moldova has never procured these vaccines, despite the fact that cases of meningitis, including fatalities, are reported every year.
Over the past 10 years, more than 220 cases of meningococcal infection were documented in the Republic of Moldova, with approximately 60% occurring in children under the age of two. During the same period, the fatality rate was 23%, resulting in over 50 deaths.
The most recent suspected case was reported last week involving a child from Chisinau.
