Vaccination against COVID-19 in Ukraine starts on Wednesday, February 24

The COVID-19 vaccination process in Ukraine will begin on Wednesday, February 24, Health Minister Maxim Stepanov said during a press briefing in Kiev on Wednesday.

"The process of vaccination against COVID-19 begins today. The first vaccines went to the regions today at 7:00. I have set the task of carrying out the first stage of vaccination in a short time," he said.

According to the minister, Ukraine has been provided with vaccines for the first and second stages of the vaccination campaign.

"We expect deliveries of vaccines from Pfizer within the COVAX initiative – more than 100 thousand doses, Sinovac – about 2 million doses, AstraZeneca – 1.5 million from Serum Institut and about 4 million more doses from COVAX, Novavax – 10 million doses have already been signed and we plan to conclude a contract for another 5 million in the near future, "Stepanov added.

He stressed that this volume of vaccines is more than enough to carry out a full-fledged vaccination program throughout the current year.

"In addition, we are going to make more contracts, and we already have corresponding agreements," Stepanov said.

The Minister stressed that during his visit to India he visited one of the world's leading manufacturers Bharat Biotech, which has developed a vaccine against COVID-19.

"The vaccine went through three stages of clinical research, the last was attended by more than 25 thousand volunteers. The final results of the third stage of clinical studies are expected within 10 days. The preliminary conclusions of scientists are optimistic – the vaccine is effective and safe," he said.

"During negotiations with the company, we reached an agreement on the mutual willingness of the manufacturer and Ukraine to participate in clinical trials of a new development – vaccines in the form of a nasal spray or drops. They begin the first stage of trials, and the second or third can be partially carried out in Ukraine. Clinical studies are planned to be completed by September -October. Conducting such research in Ukraine will give us priority access to the vaccine if it is effective, "Stepanov added.