Drucker: About €350,000 Needed for Analysis of mRNA COVID-19 Vaccines

Bratislava, May 6 (TASR) - An estimated €350,000 will be needed for the analysis of mRNA COVID-19 vaccines, Education Minister Tomas Drucker (Voice-SD) announced after his working meeting with Health Minister Kamil Sasko (Voice-SD), representatives of the Slovak Academy of Sciences (SAV) and the State Institute for Drug Control (SUKL). Sasko claimed that the institutions have already initiated all necessary procedures to carry out the analysis at a top-tier level. "Today we went through, in addition to the technical details and certain specifications, the procedural aspects concerning the timeline and the budget itself," Sasko explained. He emphasized that he fully supports Slovak scientists and researchers. "I will be expecting the results of the analysis, which I anticipate will be completed within a few short months. This analysis will then be compiled into a final report," he added, noting that the report will be made publicly available in a transparent manner. Drucker affirmed that both the SAV and SUKL are fully prepared to conduct the analysis and produce the report. "While the SAV and the Biomedical Research Center are not certified laboratories, this does not mean they lack the material, technical, or personnel resources and capabilities to carry out such scientific analyses," he said. He stressed the importance of having the analysis to either confirm or definitively disprove any speculation regarding the safety of COVID-19 vaccines in Slovakia. "I’m grateful that we’re approaching this apolitically, purely from a professional and evidence-based scientific perspective," the minister added. Last week, at the government’s request, the Health Minister formally asked the SAV to test samples of mRNA COVID-19 vaccines. Experts are expected to prepare a comprehensive report on the quantitative analysis of DNA and other substances present in selected retained batches of vaccines used in Slovakia. They will also produce a scientific and expert opinion on the potential effects of these substances on the human body. mf