Starting next week, the Estonian Health Insurance Fund will be accepting applications for compensation from people who have suffered coronavirus vaccine side-effects. Only those whose vaccination-related health problems have been long-term and been recorded by doctors qualify.
Estonia has rejected offers by pharmaceutical company Pfizer for its new coronavirus drug Paxlovid and is waiting for the outcome of the EU's next joint procurement. However, negotiations are stalling.
The Ministry of Social Affairs' supplementary budget package consists largely of financial allocations necessary for expenses involved in accepting and providing housing and other services to war refugees from Ukraine in Estonia.
Each year, around 150 people are diagnosed with and 60 people die of cervical cancer in Estonia. Participation rates in the country's cervical cancer screening program, however, which could help detect cervical cell changes, precancerous conditions and cancer itself early, remain low.
Decisions like merging healthcare institutions such as the State Agency of Medicines and the Health Board and closing down the National Institute for Health Development (TAI) should not be rushed. Right now, solutions were suggested first and objectives formulated after the fact, healthcare expert Maris Jesse said in an appearance on ERR's "Otse uudistemajast" on Wednesday.