In July, more than 11.3 thousand people fell ill with covid in Ukraine: the Ministry of Health reminded how to get the vaccine

The incidence of coronavirus infection is currently on the rise in the country. In July, 11,389 people fell ill with covid in Ukraine. The Ministry of Health told how to find out about the availability of vaccines at vaccination points  and the work schedule, UNN reports. 

In July, 11,389 people fell ill with COVID-19 in Ukraine, 2,672 of them received inpatient treatment in a medical facility

According to the Ministry of Health, vaccination remains the only effective and safe way to gain immunity. It is especially recommended for risk groups.

COVID-19 vaccinations remain free of charge for every Ukrainian. You can get vaccinated by making an appointment with your family doctor or at a vaccination center at a medical facility. 

Information about the nearest vaccination points, their addresses and working hours can be found at the link or by contacting the operators of the Ministry of Health contact center at 0 800 60 20 19.

Are vaccination points in public places currently open

After the outbreak of full-scale war, the work of mass vaccination centers operating in shopping malls and other premises adapted for mass vaccinations was stopped for security reasons, the Ministry of Health said.

However, there are  vaccination points in outpatient clinics, hospitals and primary health care centers.  The schedule of work of vaccination points in medical institutions in the regions can be viewed here. 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) also conduct mobile teams to remote communities and settlements in all oblasts during prevention weeks and field campaigns. You can find out the schedule of visits by calling the CDC in your region or follow the schedule of visits on the social networks of the centers. 

What COVID-19 vaccines are available in Ukraine

According to the Ministry of Health, more than 500 thousand doses of the omicron-specific COVID-19 vaccine (Pfizer's Comirnaty vaccine) for adults and more than 50 thousand doses for children are currently available in Ukraine, and it is available in all regions. 

Who is recommended to get vaccinated against COVID-19 in 2024

Vaccination schemes for the population have been simplified - for most people, one vaccination against COVID-19 is enough. For people who are at risk of severe COVID-19, more doses are provided - that is, revaccination in 6-12 months. 

The definition of the stages of vaccination is also changing for doctors and patients. One vaccination (or two vaccinations for certain groups) -  is the primary vaccination. All subsequent vaccinations are revaccination against COVID-19. 

Revaccination in 6-12 months is recommended only for people at risk: 

• adults and children with weakened immunity or concomitant or severe chronic diseases; 

• pregnant women; 

• people over 60 years old; 

• adults and children who are at risk of severe illness and death due to coronavirus infection;

• Representatives of professional risk groups (e.g., doctors, teachers, military, etc.).

The need for revaccination is determined by a doctor. Any of the COVID-19 vaccines available in the country can be used for primary vaccination and revaccination. If there is a choice of vaccine, the Ministry of Health recommends giving preference to the vaccine adapted to the Omicron variant. 

Last week, Deputy Minister of Health and Chief Sanitary Doctor of Ukraine Ihor Kuzin saidthat at least 10 different subtypes of coronavirus are circulating in Ukraine, including the FLiRT strain, which was registered for the first time in the world in March this year. The number of cases has increased in the country over the past month, but there are no predictions of an epidemic.