Ukraine in talks with six COVID-19 vaccine manufacturers - Shmyhal
He said this in an interview with Interfax-Ukraine, according to Ukrinform.
"We are negotiating with six vaccine manufacturers that have currently conducted two phases of clinical trials and are conducting a third one. The vaccines are registered in other countries and in the World Health Organization as official and legal," Shmyhal said.
According to him, the Ukrainian Health Ministry has signed a non-disclosure agreement with almost all manufacturers, which does not give it the right to discuss some details in public.
"But we are members of the global COVAX initiative, and we have appealed to all our partners regarding the need to supply the first batches of the vaccine as soon as possible. So far, I can say that these talks have paid off - Ukraine will have the vaccine no later than February," he said.
Shmyhal added that today it is possible to choose from three vaccines, and, most likely, the first batches will include three different vaccines.
He stressed that all of them would be unambiguously licensed in Ukraine and would be approved by the WHO and in other countries, that is, these will be vaccines with a proven percentage of effectiveness.
"As soon as the vaccines are registered in Ukraine according to an expedited procedure, commercial enterprises will immediately be able to import these vaccines to Ukraine. Then it is a question for such companies. They are also holding talks and signing contracts. I am convinced that these will be parallel processes with state vaccination," Shmyhal said, when asked about when Ukrainians will be able to get vaccinated against COVID-19 on a commercial basis.
Commenting on the results of inspections regarding possible underground vaccination against COVID-19, Shmyhal stated that law enforcement agencies had opened criminal proceedings and a respective investigation is underway.
"Separately, I issued instructions to the Health Ministry and the Interior Ministry, on the basis of which appropriate action is being taken. All the necessary documents have been signed to inspect the company mentioned in [media reports]. But since this is a criminal case, I will not disclose any data in advance," he added.
On January 16, deputy head of the Servant of the People faction in parliament Yevheniia Kravchuk said that the first stage of vaccination of Ukrainians against COVID-19 could begin in mid-February.
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