As of December, the treatment of unvaccinated people who have been infected with the coronavirus may become a paid service in Armenia. Hripsime Khachatryan, the press secretary of the Minister of Health, informed Armenian News-NEWS.am about this.

"This matter is being discussed at the ministry. It has been discussed in the past, too, but taking into account the pandemic, the state has covered the costs of treating the citizens. The option of making the unvaccinated and infected citizens’ treatment paid as of December is already being discussed. The matter is still under discussion," the spokesperson added.

She said that in this case, the treatment of such people infected with COVID-19 could cost about 800 thousand drams (approx. US$1,650), or less—depending on the patient's condition.

Asked what were the reasons and justifications for making such a change, Khachatryan said the Prime Minister on Thursday announced the government's approach to the issue of vaccination against the coronavirus.

"I, for example, have been vaccinated, I have taken on that responsibility in terms of promoting public health. In that case, why should the citizens who are not vaccinated for personal motives, who reject the condition offered by the state, receive treatment at the expense of the taxes I pay?” Khachatryan noted, in particular.

And if a vaccinated person in Armenia becomes infected with the coronavirus and needs to be hospitalized, who will pay for this patient's treatment: the person or the state? The health minister's spokeswoman responded that this matter is also being discussed, and according to one option, the treatment of this vaccinated patient will be free.