This was the main sentiment of ECR Vice-President Juraj Droba's intervention in a debate on the COVID-19 pandemic. For Mr Droba, who also serves as President of the Bratislava Region, together with preventive measures, "vaccinations are the way to get out of the pandemic". He expressed hope that we will be able to soon overcome the pandemic and, in this regard, very much welcomed the EU's goal to vaccinate 70% of the adult population by summer, convinced that it is an "attainable goal".

Mr Droba mentioned that at the onset of the pandemic last March Slovakia counted very few COVID-casualties, but today, in stark contrast, his country is facing one of the worst situations in Europe. Thanking countries such as France as well as other Member States for helping them with extra vaccines, he also highlighted that while vaccination strategies are the responsibility of the state, he believes that "regions can handle it better with the local expertise". He gave the example of how his region has now started its own pilot program for vaccinations.

Nevertheless, in order to continue vaccinating citizens and progressing with the vaccine roll-out, we must accelerate the distribution of vaccines, urged Mr Droba. There is an urgent need to put pressure on the pharmaceutical companies to "increase the production of vaccines and to also make deals on the price of the vaccines".

In addition to the lack of vaccines, Juraj Droba spoke about the problematic strong pro-Russian sentiment in Slovakia and the growing interest in the Sputnik V vaccine, which he reminded "has not been approved by the EU". Expressing frustration at the bad reputation surrounding the AstraZeneca vaccine, Mr Droba could not understand why people in Slovakia are refusing to take this vaccine considering it's a UK/Sweden product – made in countries that are known for their reliability and trustworthiness in Slovakia.

Concluding his intervention, Mr Droba questioned the EU Commissioner for Health and Food Safety, Ms Stella Kryiakides: "How can we improve access to the big pharmaceutical companies in order to negotiate reasonable deals for the EU, and what else can we do to get the vaccines to Europe?"

This debate took place during the 143rd plenary session of the European Committee of the Regions.