Macedonia can easily be left without coronavirus vaccines, if Bulgaria uses its stockpile in full, said Aleksandar Pandov from VMRO-DPMNE during a TV event. Macedonian healthcare authorities were unable to independently provide the vaccine, even as neighboring countries accomplished the task and some are even beginning vaccinations.

Just compare the situation with Albania, it was reported that Edi Rama went personally to the US, to Pfizer, to beg, as a Prime Minister of his country, to receive as many vaccines as possible as fast as possible. Where is our Government, our President, have they done anything?, Pandov asked.

Neighboring Bulgaria promised to give a share of its contingent of vaccines to Macedonia, a generous move that quickly became a talking point in their pre-election campaign.

But Pandov notes that Bulgaria qualified the donation with the words “if any are left over”, meaning that it is not fully guaranteed.

Macedonia has the worst mortality rate per million in the region, we are fifth in the world, even if we estimate that we have two million citizens. The vaccines may arrive in March, or April? All other countries know when they can expect their vaccines, only we know nothing, Pandov added.