Health Minister Silvi Kirilov announced the ambitious goal of introducing a new varicella vaccine into the mandatory immunization calendar by 2026.
In an interview with Nova Television, he stated that "Our ambition is for a new varicella vaccine to be included in the immunization calendar for 2026 and to be implemented in practice".
This is a significant step that requires not only a change in the regulatory framework but also the provision of the necessary vaccines.
Minister Kirilov confirmed that it has already been proposed that the vaccine become mandatory, and the process of amending the laws is underway.
"Our ambition is for this vaccine to be mandatory in 2026", he emphasized.
The vaccination schedule provides for a first dose at an early age, between 12 and 15 months, with subsequent revaccination in the third or fourth year.
Minister Kirilov highlighted the positive effect of vaccination on public health, defining it as "a serious step towards the prevention of this disease".
In addition to the announced vaccination plans, Minister Kirilov also addressed the implementation of electronic personal health-prevention cards for children.
From September 1, 2025, health professionals in kindergartens and schools have access to an electronic system containing the health data of students.
"Personal health-prevention cards are now electronic; they will not be carried by parents to school. In this way, we are facilitating over 2 million Bulgarian citizens, all children up to 18 years old and their parents, as well as general practitioners", the minister stated at a briefing in the Council of Ministers at the beginning of September.
He guaranteed the protection of personal data, explaining that health professionals only have access to the necessary information.
To ensure the smooth operation of the new system, six training courses were conducted for health professionals, and instructions were also distributed online.
Despite the expected initial difficulties, Minister Kirilov sees in electronic cards "the future".
Regarding the motion of no confidence submitted against the cabinet, Minister Kirilov expressed concern that the frequency of these votes diminishes the weight of the procedure.
"This is a procedure that was created with the possibility of correcting the policies that the government is pursuing, but with these four_five votes and subsequent ones, this possibility is already devalued. This procedure of a vote of no confidence is thus lightened, which worries me more than the vote itself", he commented.
This is a clear signal of the need for a more understandable and effective procedure for parliamentary control over the government.