EUR 74 million worth of COVID-19 vaccines thrown away

Vaccines against Covid-19 worth more than BGN 145 million (EUR 74 million) were discarded between 2022 and 2024, according to an answer to a parliamentary question by acting Health Minister Galia Kondeva.

This includes more than 5 million doses of vaccines from seven companies whose expiry dates have passed, multi-dose vials have not been fully used, have not been properly stored or have been broken.

According to Galya Kondeva, the vaccines are evaluated and disposed of once a year by specially appointed committees of health inspectorates and the ministry. She points out that vaccination against Covid-19 is recommended and carried out on request.