Published November 27, 2025 | Version v1
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The dual economic impact of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy - Bulgaria's conundrum case

Authors/Creators

  • 1. Medical University of Sofia, Sofia, Bulgaria

Description

Bulgaria is assumed to be the country with the lowest COVID-19 vaccination coverage in the EU. The present study aims to highlight the economic impact of vaccine hesitancy. The period analyzed is from 1 January 2021 to 31 December 2021, examining hospitalization costs for COVID-19 patients, vaccine application costs, and vaccine type and dose administered. Results demonstrate a net impact of BGN 97 686 089 (€49 946 104) if 30% of the eligible population had been vaccinated and BGN 146 529 133 (€74 919 156) if a 45% rate had been achieved. In addition, 5.1 million unused doses were scrapped—more than those administered. The public health impact of vaccine hesitancy in Bulgaria led to a preventable medical crisis, substantial economic losses due to avoidable hospitalizations, and significant additional costs associated with the destruction of unused vaccines.

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Additional details

Cites
Publication: 10.1007/s40261-021-01085-8 (DOI)
Publication: 10.1016/j.onehlt.2022.100402 (DOI)
Publication: 10.1186/s12913-022-08726-4 (DOI)
Publication: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2021.04.002 (DOI)
Publication: 10.3390/vaccines11010059 (DOI)
Publication: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2020.12.078 (DOI)
Publication: 10.1126/science.abi6488 (DOI)
Publication: 10.3390/vaccines10010059 (DOI)
Publication: 10.1038/s43856-022-00075-x (DOI)
Publication: 10.1080/13696998.2021.1965732 (DOI)
Publication: 10.1016/j.jaip.2021.02.054 (DOI)
Publication: 10.1016/j.jfma.2021.05.020 (DOI)

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