Table 5 COVID-19 vaccine policies of Bulgaria

Basic vaccination schedule

1. Phase I vaccination: doctors, nurses and medical assistants

2. Phase II vaccination: users and employees of social institutions, teachers and employees of mink farms

3. Phase III vaccination: national infrastructure maintenance work, such as employees of the water supply sector

4. Phase IV vaccination: people over 65 years old and those with concomitant disease

5. Phase V vaccination: vulnerable populations whose lifestyles are highly susceptible to the epidemic

Expand the vaccination population

1. In mid-February 2021, Bulgaria opened the "green corridors". Regardless of priorities, all adults can be vaccinated

2. On May 17, 2021, the Bulgarian Ministry of Health instructed general practitioners and vaccination centres to vaccinate people over 60 years of age and those with serious chronic diseases

3. On 28 May 2021, the Bulgarian Ministry of Health instructed general practitioners to vaccinate persons outside the scope of their patient lists and those who wish to be vaccinated

Vaccination of minors

As of June 3, 2021, children over 12 years of age in Bulgaria can be vaccinated against COVID-19

Compulsory vaccination

No compulsory COVID-19 vaccination

Vaccine procurement and supply

1. As of 1 December 2022, Bulgaria had donated 172,500 doses of Vaxzevria vaccine to the Kingdom of Bhutan, 50,000 doses of Vaxzevria vaccine to Bosnia and Herzegovina and 51,480 doses of Comirnaty vaccine to the Republic of North Macedonia. 270,000 doses of Vaxzevria vaccine were donated to Bangladesh, 258,570 doses of Comirnaty vaccine to Bosnia and Herzegovina, and 2,830,400 doses of Vaxzevria vaccine to the Islamic Republic of Iran

2. Bulgaria sold £100,000 of the Modena vaccine to the Kingdom of Norway

3. On 11 April 2023, Bulgaria and Poland sent a common position to the President of the European Commission on the contract for the purchase of COVID-19 vaccines: not to join the renegotiation of new vaccine supplies, as we know in advance that these vaccines will be cancelled, asking our countries to decide for themselves the quantity of vaccines we will purchase and pay for them after delivery

Vaccination support policies

1. EU Digital Covid Certificates, also known as "Green digital Certificates", was officially launched on July 1, applicable to the 27 EU member States (excluding Ireland) and four non-EU countries: Iceland, Norway, Switzerland and Liechtenstein

2. On 21 October 2021, green certificates for COVID-19 vaccination, survival or negative test results, which are required for visits to cinemas, theatres, museums, galleries, food and entertainment venues, fitness and gymnasiums, etc., came into use in Bulgaria

3. On 10 March 2022, visitors to sites of public interest should not present a "green certificate" in Bulgaria

4. As of 21 March 2022, all requirements for green certificates in Bulgaria were abolished

Incentivize vaccination

1. On September 30, 2021, the Bulgarian Ministry of Health held a vaccine incentive game to promote the vaccination of COVID-19 in the country, and the winner would be decided randomly by drawing lots

2. On December 23, 2021, the Prime Minister of Bulgaria announced that in order to increase the vaccination rate of the elderly population, the government would give cash incentives to the elderly who received COVID-19 vaccines, and the government stipulates: Every retired Bulgarian who receives the first or second dose of the vaccine will receive a one-time cash payment of 75 Bulgarian levs in addition to the pension for the following six months. Retirees who have already received their third booster dose will also be eligible for the bonus

3. On 21 March 2022, Bulgaria launched the " + Me" campaign to disseminate scientific information on COVID-19 vaccines and the benefits of vaccination

Vaccination boosters

1. On 23 September 2021, the Bulgarian Ministry of Health and the Advisory Committee of Experts on the Supervision of Immunization and Prophylaxis recommended that immunically impaired persons, persons living in nursing homes and residential social institutions, health workers at high risk of infection, persons over 65 years of age, persons who had not built up sufficient immunity one month after the end of the vaccination cycle receive a booster dose of COVID-19 vaccine. Booster doses should be given at the earliest after 6 months

2. On 31 December 2021, the Bulgarian Ministry of Health and the Advisory Committee of Experts on Surveillance of Immunization recommended that the booster be administered no earlier than 3 months after completion of primary vaccination

3. On 25 May 2022, children aged 12–17 years in Bulgaria could receive the Comirnaty booster vaccine at least 3 months after completing the primary vaccination process.。

4. On 24 June 2022, the Bulgarian Ministry of Health approved the recommendation of the Expert Committee on the Surveillance of Immunology and Prophylaxis on the application of the fourth vaccine to all people aged 18 years and above for the prevention of COVID-19, with the second booster dose being administered at least 4 months after the first booster dose

5. In August 2022, the Bulgarian Ministry of Health and the Expert Committee for the Surveillance of Immunization and Prophylaxis recommended that a second booster vaccine against COVID-19 be administered to people over 18 years of age who had received the Janssen vaccine primary immunization