The state is ready to introduce free whooping cough tests if needed

The cost of one test is between BGN 25-30. On this basis, the Ministry allocates funds, which are currently provided to the Metropolitan RZI and the National Center. We work for the big cities, where they don’t have the RZIs, and these studies will be carried out simultaneously with the university hospitals. This was stated by the Minister of Health, Galya Kondeva, during her hearing at the Health Committee in the Parliament in connection with the spread of whooping cough in our country.

The idea of ​​introducing and financing free PCR tests is being discussed. In order for this to happen, however, additional funds will be needed: “It is not impossible. It is being discussed in principle, but at this stage in the talks with Associate Professor Kunchev, we are ready to offer additional funding if the trend requires it,” said the health minister.

“We cannot accept everyone’s wishes. That’s why we have specified specific criteria, which aim, in addition to preventing complications, to avoid fatal outcomes,” explained the minister.

The Ministry of Health is considering whether to make changes to the immunization calendar in connection with the spike in whooping cough patients.

“The ministry is currently awaiting the opinion of the National Expert Council on Immunizations. We have sent them a request for a competent opinion from them on the two topics – immunization of pregnant women and immunization of adults, as well as a possible change in the immunization calendar,” said Minister Kondeva .

However, the main task of the health authorities remains the protection of newborns and small children from the severe course of the disease.

“With increasing age, the post-vaccination protection decreases, but in adults and adolescents, the disease is milder,” explained the minister.

In the event of an emergency epidemic situation, the Ministry of Health is ready to introduce mandatory immunization and re-immunization for certain groups that are not specified in the immunization calendar.

“We carefully reviewed the brief characteristics of the available products and the practices in some countries and found that we could, if necessary, order that newborns start vaccination two weeks before reaching two months of age,” said Health Minister Galya Kondeva.

The Minister of Health said that there are currently 650 doses of the “Bootrix” vaccine available in the pharmacy network in the country. Another 2,000 doses of this type are expected on Friday, which will be distributed to pharmacies early next week.

There are between 500 and 1000 tests for whooping cough in the Metropolitan RZI. Professor Iva Hristova assured that the National Center for Infectious and Parasitic Diseases has enough of them.