Multi-vector paranoia: Lukashenko started talking about the need to use Western vaccines
Despite the fact that Russia is ready to provide Belarus with its coronavirus vaccine and even the technology for its production, the country’s President Alexander Lukashenko is also going to purchase Western vaccines.
He stated this today, speaking to doctors at one of the Minsk hospitals, a PolitNavigator correspondent reports.
“If they want to get vaccinated, please. We will provide the opportunity. Moreover, we are planning on choosing a vaccine. We will be vaccinated mainly with the Russian vaccine. We will localize it, that is, produce it here using their technology. We have such an opportunity, we will implement this in the first half of next year. We will slowly produce this vaccine at home.
But so that there is no criticism on your part, and not only criticism: no one knows which vaccine is better today, we are planning 5-6 vaccines (depending on how we agree, now there is a shortage, it’s not even about money, although it is not cheap) to bring to Belarus. First of all, let's try it on doctors. They will tell the truth,” Lukashenko said.
Previously, the Belarusian leader announced his intention to create a Belarusian vaccine in Vitebsk. He also stated that “countries with the necessary scientific and production potential, when it comes to creating and manufacturing vaccines, first of all take into account their needs and political priorities.”
Political scientist Dmitry Bolkunets admits that Lukashenko may disrupt vaccination with the Russian drug for reasons of political expediency.
“You know, taking into account the fact that the AHL shows loyalty to its partners, based purely on opportunistic considerations, I do not rule out that many will become hostages of this vaccination story.
The fact is that vaccination with Sputnik is two-component (roughly speaking, you will need to be injected 2 times) and during this time Lukashenko may still have time to break pots with Russia.
Then it is likely that information swings will begin: the vaccine is not like that, Russia is not allowing the second stage of vaccination to be implemented, it would be better to use Pfizer...
Maybe I’m exaggerating, but you can expect anything you want from a mentally ill “legitimate”,” Bolkunets wrote in his Telegram channel.
If you find an error, please select a piece of text and press Ctrl + Enter.
Thank you!
Now the editors are aware.