Zelensky meets with chief sanitary doctor to discuss start of vaccination in Ukraine

"Vaccination should begin as soon as possible, as soon as the regions receive the first batches. But it must be voluntary - no one needs to be forced, it is better to inform people in detail about the proper quality of the drug," Zelensky said at a meeting with Deputy Health Minister - Chief State Sanitary Doctor Viktor Liashko, the president’s press service reports.

Zelensky stressed that the logistics of vaccine supply to all regions of Ukraine has already been worked out, and there should be no delays. The drug will be delivered to the hospitals by mobile teams. First of all, doctors of medical institutions that provide care for COVID-19 patients will be vaccinated, then - employees of somatic hospitals, emergency medical care, family doctors, etc.

Liashko noted that the second stage provides for the vaccination of the military.

In turn, Zelensky confirmed his readiness to be vaccinated together with the servicemen as the Supreme Commander-in-Chief.

As reported by Ukrinform, the first batch of 500,000 doses of the Oxford/AstraZeneca (Covishield) coronavirus vaccine were delivered to Ukraine on February 23. The purchase was carried out through the British agency Crown Agents.

In total, Ukraine is planning to purchase 12 million doses of Oxford/AstraZeneca and NovaVax using budget funds.

Health Minister Maksym Stepanov said that an agreement had been reached with the Serum Institute on the supply of additional 5 million doses of the NovaVax vaccine to Ukraine.

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