Denys Shmyhal: Ukraine will have a sufficient resource to purchase vaccines

The Government engages in vigorous activities to ensure that in 2021 Ukraine is guaranteed to have a much larger number of vaccines, in addition to the planned 8 million doses under the global COVAX initiative.

This was stated by Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal during a regular meeting of the Government on December 23.

According to him, the top leadership of the state is negotiating in two directions: with vaccine manufacturers and with the leadership of countries where such vaccines will be produced or are already being produced.

"We will have a sufficient resource to buy vaccines. Almost UAH 3 billion has already been planned in the state budget. In addition, a special fund will be established to accumulate funding for vaccines and surcharges for doctors," the Prime Minister stressed.

The Prime Minister added that the possibility of purchasing vaccines against COVID-19 is being considered together with the World Bank and the European Investment Bank.

"Relevant work is also being done at the level of the leadership of the United States, Great Britain, Germany and other countries. Active negotiations are underway with Poland, which could become a mediating country in receiving vaccines from the EU. The algorithm of actions is coordinated within all branches of power, and we act in line with it", Denys Shmyhal noted.

The Prime Minister also noted that the Ministry of Health, together with the Public Health Center, had approved a nationwide vaccination plan.

"In fact, this document should become a comprehensive methodology for achieving the main goal - vaccination of as many groups of the population as possible in the coming year," said Denys Shmyhal.

According to the Prime Minister, the plan includes priority groups and stages of vaccination, describes the logistics component and processes for organizing the campaign.