Latest news with #Kotlar
Russia Today
23-04-2025
- Health
- Russia Today
EU state's PM issues Covid vaccine warning
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico has called for an immediate halt to government purchases of Covid-19 vaccines, citing a recent report that found mRNA jabs contain extremely high levels of DNA and substances that were not disclosed by the manufacturer. Bratislava initially considered outright banning the vaccines when a commission led by Peter Kotlar, an orthopedic doctor and member of the ruling Slovak National Party, published a report in October claiming that the mRNA jabs alter human DNA, have been inadequately tested, and therefore should not be administered until they are proven safe. Kotlar has also described the Covid-19 pandemic as an 'act of bioterrorism' and a 'fabricated operation,' and has accused vaccine manufacturers Moderna and Pfizer of turning vaccinated people into 'genetically modified organisms.' His report, however, was met with significant pushback from opposition parties, as well as former Slovak Health Minister Zuzana Dolinkova, who cast doubt on Kotlar's qualifications with regard to the subject. She subsequently resigned from her position that same month, citing government backing for an anti-vaxxer and insufficient prioritization of health care. In a post on X on Wednesday, Fico published a video in which he stated that ignoring the findings of the Kotlar-led commission on the quality of the Covid-19 vaccines would be 'extremely irresponsible.' Fico noted that in March, he instructed the Health Ministry to establish a working group to address the findings of the expert report submitted by Kotlar, but acknowledged that this may not produce results quickly enough. The prime minister said he would try to resolve the issue in 'a reasonable timeframe' and propose during an upcoming government meeting that apart from the working group, the Slovak Academy of Sciences (SAV) would also be asked to conduct a quantitative analysis of the presence of DNA and other substances in the vaccines. Fico also suggested that the government should inform the population about the 'serious findings' regarding the jabs. 'Although Covid-19 vaccination rates are extremely low, people deserve such a warning,' he said. The prime minister went on to propose that Slovakia suspend the purchase of additional vaccines from the unspecified manufacturer, which it is obligated to do under a contract signed by the former government in 2023. Bratislava is still expected to procure nearly 300,000 doses of Covid-19 vaccines in 2025 and 2026, which is estimated to cost around $6.6 million, Fico said, stressing that 'until the results of the additional quantitative analysis are delivered, the government should not procure further vaccines from this manufacturer or pay for them.'
Yahoo
23-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Vaccine-wary Slovak PM pauses COVID-19 shot purchases pending review
(Reuters) -The Slovak government halted purchases of COVID-19 vaccines on Wednesday pending a review of their safety by the Slovak Academy of Sciences, Prime Minister Robert Fico said. Fico, a populist who has himself declined coronavirus vaccination, has long criticised the COVID policies of the previous governments, including vaccination campaigns before his return to power in 2023. Fico told a televised briefing that based on a 2023 agreement signed by a previous administration, Slovakia was still due to receive 300,000 more vaccine doses for around 5.7 million euros ($6.48 million). He did not name the suppliers. "We have an expert opinion from a registered expert that the vaccines used in Slovakia contained enormously high levels of DNA and substances which the producer did not show in the packaging material," Fico told a news conference. "Therefore the decision to not take or pay temporarily (for the remaining vaccines) until we have more information is right," he said. The cabinet's decision to pause vaccine purchases followed a recommendation by vaccine opponent Peter Kotlar, the government's envoy in charge of reviewing pandemic policies. Kotlar has claimed, without evidence, that vaccines based on mRNA technology were not safe and called on the government to stop inoculations. Producers of mRNA vaccines Moderna and Pfizer did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Slovak drug regulator SUKL last month sharply criticised Kotlar's views, saying they were unscientific and dangerous, and said it was considering filing a criminal complaint for spreading panic. The main Slovak opposition party, Progressive Slovakia, said Fico was using Kotlar's "conspiratory delusions" to distract attention from his government's policy failures. Fico has repeatedly doubted the benefits of COVID-19 vaccinations, and organised a protest that went against lockdown rules during the pandemic. ($1 = 0.8794 euros)
Straits Times
23-04-2025
- Health
- Straits Times
Vaccine-wary Slovak PM pauses COVID-19 shot purchases pending review
FILE PHOTO: Vials of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccines of Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna are seen during a trial run of a mass vaccination center located inside of a gym in the town of Ricany near Prague, Czech Republic, February 25, 2021. REUTERS/David W Cerny/File Photo FILE PHOTO: Slovakia's Prime Minister Robert Fico looks on during the meeting with Croatia's Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic (not pictured) in Zagreb, Croatia, April 16, 2025. REUTERS/Antonio Bronic/File Photo The Slovak government halted purchases of COVID-19 vaccines on Wednesday pending a review of their safety by the Slovak Academy of Sciences, Prime Minister Robert Fico said. Fico, a populist who has himself declined coronavirus vaccination, has long criticised the COVID policies of the previous governments, including vaccination campaigns before his return to power in 2023. Fico told a televised briefing that based on a 2023 agreement signed by a previous administration, Slovakia was still due to receive 300,000 more vaccine doses for around 5.7 million euros ($6.48 million). He did not name the suppliers. "We have an expert opinion from a registered expert that the vaccines used in Slovakia contained enormously high levels of DNA and substances which the producer did not show in the packaging material," Fico told a news conference. "Therefore the decision to not take or pay temporarily (for the remaining vaccines) until we have more information is right," he said. The cabinet's decision to pause vaccine purchases followed a recommendation by vaccine opponent Peter Kotlar, the government's envoy in charge of reviewing pandemic policies. Kotlar has claimed, without evidence, that vaccines based on mRNA technology were not safe and called on the government to stop inoculations. Producers of mRNA vaccines Moderna and Pfizer did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Slovak drug regulator SUKL last month sharply criticised Kotlar's views, saying they were unscientific and dangerous, and said it was considering filing a criminal complaint for spreading panic. The main Slovak opposition party, Progressive Slovakia, said Fico was using Kotlar's "conspiratory delusions" to distract attention from his government's policy failures. Fico has repeatedly doubted the benefits of COVID-19 vaccinations, and organised a protest that went against lockdown rules during the pandemic. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Reuters
23-04-2025
- Health
- Reuters
Vaccine-wary Slovak PM pauses COVID-19 shot purchases pending review
April 23 (Reuters) - The Slovak government halted purchases of COVID-19 vaccines on Wednesday pending a review of their safety by the Slovak Academy of Sciences, Prime Minister Robert Fico said. Fico, a populist who has himself declined coronavirus vaccination, has long criticised the COVID policies of the previous governments, including vaccination campaigns before his return to power in 2023. Keep up with the latest medical breakthroughs and healthcare trends with the Reuters Health Rounds newsletter. Sign up here. Fico told a televised briefing that based on a 2023 agreement signed by a previous administration, Slovakia was still due to receive 300,000 more vaccine doses for around 5.7 million euros ($6.48 million). He did not name the suppliers. "We have an expert opinion from a registered expert that the vaccines used in Slovakia contained enormously high levels of DNA and substances which the producer did not show in the packaging material," Fico told a news conference. "Therefore the decision to not take or pay temporarily (for the remaining vaccines) until we have more information is right," he said. The cabinet's decision to pause vaccine purchases followed a recommendation by vaccine opponent Peter Kotlar, the government's envoy in charge of reviewing pandemic policies. Kotlar has claimed, without evidence, that vaccines based on mRNA technology were not safe and called on the government to stop inoculations. Producers of mRNA vaccines Moderna (MRNA.O), opens new tab and Pfizer (PFE.N), opens new tab did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Slovak drug regulator SUKL last month sharply criticised Kotlar's views, saying they were unscientific and dangerous, and said it was considering filing a criminal complaint for spreading panic. The main Slovak opposition party, Progressive Slovakia, said Fico was using Kotlar's "conspiratory delusions" to distract attention from his government's policy failures. Fico has repeatedly doubted the benefits of COVID-19 vaccinations, and organised a protest that went against lockdown rules during the pandemic. ($1 = 0.8794 euros)
Russia Today
23-04-2025
- Health
- Russia Today
EU state's PM issues warning over Covid vaccines
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico has called for an immediate halt to government purchases of Covid-19 vaccines, citing a recent report that found mRNA jabs contain extremely high levels of DNA and substances that were not disclosed by the manufacturer. Bratislava initially considered outright banning the vaccines when a commission led by Peter Kotlar, an orthopedic doctor and member of the ruling Slovak National Party, published a report in October claiming that the mRNA jabs alter human DNA, have been inadequately tested, and therefore should not be administered until they are proven safe. Kotlar has also described the Covid-19 pandemic as an 'act of bioterrorism' and a 'fabricated operation,' and has accused vaccine manufacturers Moderna and Pfizer of turning vaccinated people into 'genetically modified organisms.' His report, however, was met with significant pushback from opposition parties, as well as former Slovak Health Minister Zuzana Dolinkova, who cast doubt on Kotlar's qualifications with regard to the subject. She subsequently resigned from her position that same month, citing government backing for an anti-vaxxer and insufficient prioritization of health care. In a post on X on Wednesday, Fico published a video in which he stated that ignoring the findings of the Kotlar-led commission on the quality of the Covid-19 vaccines would be 'extremely irresponsible.' Fico noted that in March, he instructed the Health Ministry to establish a working group to address the findings of the expert report submitted by Kotlar, but acknowledged that this may not produce results quickly enough. The prime minister said he would try to resolve the issue in 'a reasonable timeframe' and propose during an upcoming government meeting that apart from the working group, the Slovak Academy of Sciences (SAV) would also be asked to conduct a quantitative analysis of the presence of DNA and other substances in the vaccines. Fico also suggested that the government should inform the population about the 'serious findings' regarding the jabs. 'Although Covid-19 vaccination rates are extremely low, people deserve such a warning,' he said. The prime minister went on to propose that Slovakia suspend the purchase of additional vaccines from the unspecified manufacturer, which it is obligated to do under a contract signed by the former government in 2023. Bratislava is still expected to procure nearly 300,000 doses of Covid-19 vaccines in 2025 and 2026, which is estimated to cost around $6.6 million, Fico said, stressing that 'until the results of the additional quantitative analysis are delivered, the government should not procure further vaccines from this manufacturer or pay for them.'
