There is no technical capacity in Ukraine to conduct research and development of any vaccines, including against coronavirus, but preparations are underway for mass production, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has said.
“From the very beginning of the pandemic, we gathered all specialists. We have brilliant doctors, and this is true. Technically, we could not produce any vaccines, or develop from the point of view of science – there is no medical technical equipment. With all due respect, once again, to our doctors and scientists. There are no questions for them, they are great. But there was nothing at all, there were no laboratories, vaccine production – I will tell you frankly, now there are already several enterprises that are ready for mass production,” he told reporters during a working visit to Mykolaiv region.
Zelensky noted that the Health Ministry of Ukraine has already begun negotiations with the countries that are developing vaccine against coronavirus.
“If we manage to get the vaccine from one country or another, we are ready to produce it on a large scale, helping other countries and, first of all, helping Ukrainians,” the president stressed.
In addition, it is planned to create a research center in Ukraine specializing in the development of vaccines.
“The question is global about science, medicine, the development of vaccines for the future, so this task has already been set. The Ministry of Health and the prime minister are gathering scientists separately, we will create a separate center, gather the best scientists of Ukraine, so that we could be ready for any future challenges. It takes time, but I believe that if we have a desire, we will do the rest,” Zelensky said.
The Ministry of Health of Ukraine intends to establish the production of vaccines in the country, Health Minister Maksym Stepanov said during a press briefing in Kyiv on Wednesday.
“Ukraine needs its own production of vaccines. This is one of the tasks for me from the president regarding the security of our country, especially with COVID-19,” he said.
“Last week, I met with major Ukrainian pharmaceutical manufacturers – Farmak, Lekhim, Biolik. Scientists from the National Academy of Sciences, the Institute of Microbiology were also present. We have a clear understanding of what will become a strategy for starting vaccine production in Ukraine,” he added.
The first batch of influenza vaccines produced by Sanofi Pasteur (France) and Green Cross Corporation (Korea) in the amount of 103,55 dosages were delivered to Ukraine, the press service of the Public Health Center of Ukraine reported on Facebook.
According to the report, vaccines are currently at the stage of quality and safety control.
The approximate deadline for state quality control is October 1, 2019, after which the vaccines will be sold.
In general, Ukraine is to accept 500,000 of dosages of vaccines for influenza immunoprophylaxis.
GREEN CROSS CORPORATION, INFLUENZA, SANOFI PASTEUR, VACCINES
Ukraine is fully provided with vaccines for routine immunoprophylaxis, the Ministry of Health has stated.
“For the first time in seven years, Ukraine is fully provided with vaccines needed for immunization in accordance with the vaccination schedule,” according to materials for the extended meeting on providing citizens with medicines and medical products held in Kyiv.
According to the materials, as of June 1 Ukraine had 2,248,666 doses of DTP vaccine for prevention of diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis, 557,463 doses for prevention of diphtheria and tetanus, and 5,281,517 doses for prevention of diphtheria and tetanus with a reduced antigen.
In addition, the department has 547,672 injections and 1,243,229 doses of oral poliomyelitis vaccine, 1,909,450 doses from hepatitis B, 39,578,000 doses from hemophilia, 2,557,040 doses of BCG vaccine and 967,217 doses of MPR vaccine.
