Vaccination is one of mechanisms of countering pandemic – PM

10.03.2021 15:27

Ukrinform

Ukraine's healthcare system is prepared for the third wave of coronavirus, as the process of strengthening its capacity has not stopped since the beginning of the pandemic, Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal has said.

He said this in his introductory speech before a government meeting on Wednesday, March 10, according to the Government portal.

"We have provided the maximum possible number of beds with oxygen. Their total number is 60,000. This is one of the highest rates in Europe," the prime minister said.

According to Shmyhal, vaccination is another mechanism to counter the pandemic. The more people get the vaccine, the faster Ukraine will be able to go through the coronavirus crisis.

"Ukraine buys exceptionally safe vaccines that have been recognized by the leading countries in the world. In particular, the vaccine from AstraZeneca - Serum Institute, which is currently available in Ukraine, is purchased by both Canada and the United Kingdom," he stressed.

The head of government noted that everyone can sign up for a free vaccination in a few clicks using the Diia application and the Diia web portal or through the call center of the Ministry of Health.

Vaccination against coronavirus in Ukraine started on February 24.

On February 23, 500,000 doses of the Oxford/AstraZeneca (Covishield) vaccine, purchased at the expense of the state budget, were delivered to Ukraine.

The Health Ministry expects to receive another 1.5 million doses of the Covishield vaccine by March 31. In early March, 117,000 doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine are expected to be delivered to Ukraine as part of the global COVAX Facility.

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