Ukraine has updated recommendations for vaccination against COVID-19: what has changed

The Ministry of Health of Ukraine has updated the recommendations for vaccination with the bivalent omicron-specific vaccine against COVID-19 for primary vaccination, the Ministry of Health reported on Monday, UNN reports.

Details

"Bivalent" means that the vaccine contains mRNA of two variants - the "original" and "Omicron". This is an updated version of the Comirnaty vaccine from the American company Pfizer, adapted specifically to protect against the Omicron strain of the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus.

"Previously, this vaccine was approved only for booster vaccinations. Now, Ukrainians who are not vaccinated against COVID-19, have not completed the primary vaccination, or patients who are recommended by their doctor to receive an additional "booster vaccination" will be able to receive an omicron-specific vaccine," the Ministry of Health reported.

In particular, the following recommendations apply to vaccination with the omicron-specific vaccine: 

• Children aged 12-17 years can be vaccinated with a bivalent omicron-specific vaccine (on an mRNA platform containing BA.4/5) for both primary and booster doses.
• Children over 12 years of age and adults who have started primary vaccination with the monovalent original vaccine can complete the course with the omicron-specific vaccine (bivalent on an mRNA platform containing BA.4/5).
• Adults aged 18 years and older can be vaccinated with the bivalent omicron-specific vaccine on an mRNA platform containing BA.4/5 for both primary and booster doses.

Addendum

According to the Ministry of Health, all regions are now provided with the COVID-19 vaccine.  Vaccinations against COVID-19 in 2024 remain free of charge for all Ukrainians. You can get vaccinated by making an appointment with your family doctor or at a vaccination center in a medical facility. 

According to statistics, as of the beginning of March 2024, more than 5.5 million cases of coronavirus were recorded in Ukraine. Since the start of the COVID-19 vaccination campaign, as of February 29, 2024, 35 830 644 vaccinations have been administered.