With assistance from USAID and as part of the COVAX effort, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has distributed 2.3 million doses of the mRNA Comirnaty COVID-19 vaccine to Ukraine, a press release from ReliefWeb states.
Pfizer-BioNTech, the company that makes the vaccines, will shortly distribute them to 23 areas of Ukraine.
Viktor Lyashko, the minister of health of Ukraine, has expressed gratitude to all the country’s allies for their unwavering assistance and for providing the nation with COVID-19 vaccines.
Additionally, he stated that although the healthcare system is presently focusing on the treatment of the frontline defenders, Ukrainians still need to get vaccinated against COVID-19 in order to avoid its repercussions.
According to Christopher W. Smith, U.S. Chargé d’Affaires in Ukraine, the donation of 2.3 million vaccine is the largest one so far. Since the beginning of the pandemic the total number of vaccines delivered to Ukraine totals 6.4 million doses.
Smith said that the delivery only portrays the relationship between US and Ukraine, and shows the American support of Ukrainians in the Russian war.
He also said that he is looking forward to the future partnerships that will result in the improvement of the health care system, and build stronger institutions throughout the whole country.
Murat Sahin, a representative for UNICEF in Ukraine, stated that UNICEF continues to support Ukraine’s healthcare institutions, especially by providing vaccines to prevent harmful illnesses. It is crucial that as many people as possible are safeguarded from COVID-19 right now, during the ongoing battles on the frontline, he added.
According to Guillaume Simonian, acting WHO Representative in Ukraine, WHO is still assisting the Ukrainian health system with COVID-19 immunization in a number of technical areas throughout the war, including strategic direction, a national program to build the capacity of healthcare professionals, and direct operational support for outreach vaccination activities among high-risk and vulnerable populations.
She said that thanks to the collaborative COVAX program, this supply of COVID-19 vaccines is ensuring that Ukrainians continue to receive coronavirus protection.
The elderly and people with chronic illnesses are especially at risk, therefore they should receive the complete range of vaccinations, including booster injections as needed, she concluded.
