Skvernelis expects coronavirus vaccine to reach Lithuania by late December

"We hope that this will happen, as the European Commission promises, by Christmas, perhaps by the end of December," he told a news conference. "All member states, including Lithuania, will receive it at the same time."

Skvernelis confirmed that the country might have to pay up to 125 million euros for COVID-19 vaccines, but said the exact amount would only be known after the vaccines have been received.

"The amount will have to be covered by borrowed funds, as provided for by legislation," he added.

The Cabinet has earlier decided that Lithuania will take part in the EU's joint procurement of coronavirus vaccines from all developers the European Commission is holding talks with, and will sell surplus dozes to the Eastern Partnership countries if it has oversupply.

The government aims to acquire enough doses to vaccinate 70 percent of the population.