According to the Ministry’s intention, the same benefit would be due to seniors over the age of 75, who have already completed the vaccination course, if they receive a booster dose by April 1 – the third or second dose, depending on the chosen vaccine.
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These benefits would be paid to them in December or April at the same time as the pension.
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“There are more than 270,000 people over the age of 75 in Lithuania, who belong to the high-risk group, and their immunization rate is much lower than in other high-risk groups. In this group we have about 80,000 people who have neither been vaccinated nor become ill, “Minister of Social Protection Monika Navickiene pointed out at the government meeting.
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According to her, the disease requires the most victims in this age group – two thirds of the total mortality rate, and for these reasons the ministry proposes to pay a benefit to this age group to “financially encourage them to protect their own lives and those of their loved ones”.
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The Minister added that seniors should not wait for the law to come into force, as those who were vaccinated in September will also be included in the circle of beneficiaries.
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According to the ministry’s estimates, if such a benefit were to be paid to all seniors in this age group, more than 27 million euros would be needed in the state budget for this purpose.
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