Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico is calling for an immediate halt to state purchases of COVID-19 vaccines.
Fico refers to a domestic research report claiming that the experimental mRNA vaccine contains very high levels of DNA and other substances not disclosed by pharmaceutical companies.
The Prime Minister points out that a commission, led by orthopedic doctor Peter Kotlar of the ruling Slovak National Party (SNS), submitted a report in October suggesting that mRNA vaccines can affect human DNA and that they have not been adequately tested.
The report initially led to consideration of a total ban on the vaccines in Slovakia. Kotlar, who also described the COVID-19 pandemic as an “act of bioterrorism” and a “fabricated operation”, accuses vaccine manufacturers Moderna and Pfizer of turning vaccinated people into “genetically modified organisms”.
In a video clip posted on X, Robert Fico says it would be “extremely irresponsible” to ignore the Commission’s findings. He says that in March he instructed the Ministry of Health to set up a working group to investigate the claims made in the report, but admits that this process could take time. Therefore, he now wants the Slovak Academy of Sciences (SAV) to also conduct a comprehensive quantitative analysis of DNA levels and other substances in the vaccines.
– Peter Kolar’s research team states that the vaccine samples used in Slovakia contain extremely high levels of DNA and other substances whose presence was not disclosed by the manufacturer.
– Although vaccination rates against COVID-19 are extremely low in Slovakia, the population deserves to be warned about these serious findings, Fico continued, underlining that the government should also inform the public about the report’s findings.
To ignore the expert findings on the quality of COVID-19 vaccines used in Slovakia would be extremely irresponsible. pic.twitter.com/3xBVHVhLak
— Robert Fico (@RobertFicoSVK) April 22, 2025
“Should not procure or pay for additional vaccines”
The Prime Minister also points out that under a 2023 agreement, Slovakia is obliged to purchase nearly 300,000 doses of vaccine in 2025 and 2026, at a cost of almost €6 million. However, he wants the government to postpone any new purchases and payments until further analysis is completed.
– Until the results of the additional quantitative analysis are delivered, the government should not procure or pay for additional vaccines from this manufacturer.
It should be noted that the report has faced fierce criticism from the country’s opposition parties – and former Health Minister Zuzana Dolinkova has questioned both the report’s conclusions and the authors’ competence. In the end, Dolinkova chose to resign from her post, citing the government’s support for ‘anti-vaxxers’ and lack of prioritization of healthcare as reasons for the decision.
Mr. Fico stresses that it is important not to jump to conclusions – but it is also crucial to take the report’s findings seriously:
– It is about protecting the health of the population and ensuring transparency, he says.