Today, April 23, the European Immunization Week has started in Ukraine. For the first time in the last 7 years, Ukraine has a sufficient number of vaccines to cover all age groups in need of immunization. This was stated by the Deputy Minister of Health of Ukraine Olga Stefanyshyna, who was quoted by the department, UNN reports.
Details
As noted, in previous years, the vaccination rate in Ukraine has fallen to an unacceptably low level due to both the lack of sufficient vaccines over the past 7 years and the spread of dangerous myths and unscientific assumptions that vaccination is unnecessary or harmful. The issue of vaccine availability was resolved in cooperation with international partners.
Currently, according to the Ministry of Health, the immunization rate in Ukraine is growing. The coverage of routine measles vaccinations more than doubled in 2017 and exceeded 90%. At the same time, the level of vaccination against such dangerous diseases as diphtheria, pertussis and tetanus remains critically low, the Ministry said.
For example, according to the Center for Public Health, last year only half of Ukrainian children aged 18 months were vaccinated against diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis, and less than half of adults received routine revaccinations against diphtheria and tetanus. Only 75% of children were vaccinated against polio and 50% against hepatitis B.
The Ministry of Health emphasized that all vaccines procured by UNICEF for Ukraine are of high quality, effective, safe and WHO prequalified. The vaccines are purchased for budgetary funds and provided to patients free of charge.
Also this year, the Ministry of Health is introducing a new international methodology for calculating vaccine needs, developed jointly by the World Health Organization and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF). This will make calculations of the need more accurate, increase the efficiency of budgetary funds and provide Ukrainians with the necessary vaccines. The methodology provides for multi-year planning of the national immunization program and the creation of a 25% buffer stock of vaccines, which takes into account the need for vaccines for both routine vaccinations and enhanced immunization.
For reference
European Immunization Week takes place from April 23 to 29. During the immunization week, a number of events will take place both in Kyiv and in the regions to raise awareness of vaccination. A thematic website on vaccination will also be launched, where parents will be able to learn all about modern methods of protecting children from infectious diseases.