New Covid vaccine coming to Czechia soon, government confirms

A vaccine targeting the KP.2 variant of Covid-19 is expected to become available in the Czech Republic within weeks, Health Minister Vlastimil Válek announced Monday. The development comes as the virus's KP variants account for nearly 40 percent of cases sequenced this fall, according to the State Health Institute (SZÚ).

Since the start of the pandemic, the Czech government has spent over CZK 18 billion on Covid-19 vaccines, most from Pfizer. Válek said at a press conference before a meeting of EU health ministers that an additional joint purchase with other European countries is being discussed.

“On the free market, the price of vaccines against Covid is roughly ten times higher,” Válek noted, emphasizing the economic advantages of coordinated EU purchasing.

The current contract with vaccine manufacturers, valid until 2026, ensures the delivery of 1.6 million doses over the next two years at CZK 900 million.

Public health insurance will continue to cover vaccination costs.

Deputy Health Minister Jakub Dvořáček expressed support for extending the joint procurement system, saying it would be challenging for individual countries to independently secure the same favorable terms.

Vaccination remains a cornerstone of the Czech Republic’s pandemic response as new variants like XEC and its derivatives account for an additional 30 percent of sequenced cases, according to SZÚ's latest data.

Respiratory illnesses in the Czech Republic are trending at seasonal norms, with flu cases rising slightly among preschoolers and seniors. In contrast, overall acute respiratory infections decreased by 2.2 percent, SZÚ data shows.

Covid-19 cases are also declining, with approximately 7,200 positive cases in November, down from October. Hospitalizations averaged 120 patients daily last week, including eight in intensive care, reflecting a continued reduction in severe cases.