Zelensky, Pfizer CEO discuss vaccine supplies to Ukraine

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky and Board Chairman and CEO of Pfizer Pharmaceutical Corporation Albert Bourla held a phone conversation to discuss the issues related to the conclusion of a contract for the supply of Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine to Ukraine as soon as possible, the president's press service reported on Monday evening.

“Thank you for doing your best to speed up the supply of Pfizer vaccine to Ukraine. We are ready to create all the necessary conditions for the use of the vaccine. COVID-19 still remains a major challenge for the world. We appreciate that pharmaceutical companies are fighting for us on the frontline," Zelensky said.

He informed about the current epidemic situation in Ukraine and the government's plans to launch vaccination against COVID-19.

"Ensuring vaccination of the population of Ukraine with a safe certified vaccine is one of our priorities," Zelensky said.

Albert Bourla, in turn, said he would do everything possible to ensure that Ukraine receives the first batches of vaccine under contract as soon as possible.

As reported by Ukrinform, the Ukrainian Ministry of Health is planning to start vaccination against COVID-19 in February 2021. The ministry plans to vaccinate 50% of the population of Ukraine in 2021-2022.

Ukraine will receive 8 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine within the COVAX Facility. The delivery of the first batch of 117,000 doses of Pfizer vaccine is expected in mid-February.

Ukraine also signed an agreement to purchase 1.9 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine from the Chinese company Sinovac Biotech.

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