In Ukraine, the second booster dose of the vaccine against COVID-19 was allowed for everyone, the vaccination schemes were updated, the first booster was allowed earlier than before, as well as the vaccination of children aged 5 and over, the Ministry of Health reported.
"In order for as many people as possible to protect themselves from hospitalization and death as a result of COVID-19, we allow a second dose for everyone, but we especially advise people with chronic diseases and people aged 60+ to take it," said the Deputy Minister of Health - Chief state sanitary doctor Ihor Kuzin.
The second booster dose, as noted, is allowed for all adults with an interval of at least 4 months after the first booster dose.
In addition, new vaccination schedules have been approved in accordance with the recommendations of WHO, EMA and ECDC, the National Technical Expert Group on Immunization.
"The main point: the inactivated CoronoVac vaccine can be used for booster vaccination after the use of other vaccines," the Ministry of Health reported.
The minimum time between the primary course of vaccination and the booster dose has also been reduced. Now the booster can be done 5 months after completing the basic course. Previously, this term was at least 6 months.
The last important change, as noted by the Ministry of Health, is the permission to vaccinate children aged 5-11 against COVID-19. Vaccinations will be carried out with the Comirnaty vaccine (Pfizer). Informed consent of parents or guardians is mandatory for children aged 5-11 years. It is about form N063-2/o. Previously, vaccination of children aged 12 and over was allowed in Ukraine.
"It is important that Ukraine is now waiting for a suitable vaccine, because vaccination of children aged 5-11 years requires a different dosage than for children aged 12 and over and adults. In the near future, this vaccine will be available in Ukraine," added the Ministry of Health.
The Ministry of Health noted that almost 37 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 were detected last week. 90 infected people died, 6,273 patients were hospitalized.
The situation with the coronavirus disease is under control so far, but they must be prepared for a further increase in the number of cases of the disease, noted the Chief Medical Officer of Ukraine.
