Inoculation with the Russian Sputnik V vaccine should start on June 7 at the latest. The system of free choice of vaccine should be launched as of this date, too. According to Health Minister Vladimir Lengvarský (an OĽaNO nominee), the adverse effects of the Sputnik V vaccine are comparable to those of the AstraZeneca vaccine. Sputnik should be determined for the age category between 18-60.
"Only 200,000 doses of Sputnik V will be used, additional ones only if approved by the European Medicine Agency (EMA). EU rules will strictly be followed in the case of potential further purchases," said the minister, who added he himself would not be vaccinated with Sputnik V. The minister is also expected to release binding guidelines that will ensure that everyone who is vaccinated with the jab will be immediately supervised by a doctor if they develop potential adverse effects.
At the beginning of March, Slovakia contracted 2 million doses of Sputnik V vaccines from Russia, however only the first batch of 200 thousand has arrived since then. These vaccines have been stored with a pharmaceutical company in Eastern Slovakia, and are slowly reaching their date of expiration.
Vladimír Lengvarský, who assumed the office of Health Minister at the end of March 2021, stated not long ago that he was in favour of using the vaccine once it was approved by the European Medicines Agency. However, he is also aware of the fact that there are people who will only accept Sputnik V, and his ministry's aim is to increase the vaccination rate. According to the minister, the safety of the vaccine need not be questioned.
