Stepanov had a phone call with U.S. Chargé d’Affaires, a.i. Kristina A. Kvien.
Ukrainian Health Minister Maksym Stepanov has asked the United States to consider Ukraine as a potential priority candidate for a coronavirus vaccine in a "testing and emergency-use mode."
Stepanov said this during a telephone conversation with U.S. Chargé d’Affaires, a.i. Kristina A. Kvien, the Ukrainian Health Ministry's press service said.
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Asking for help, the minister mentioned, among other things, that Ukraine has been seeing the hardest times over Russian aggression in its east.
"In the next two weeks, we will sign contracts for the supply of vaccines against COVID-19 with some producers. However, this does not guarantee that Ukraine will receive vaccines in the coming months, because the first batch of vaccines produced will cover the needs of GAVI COVAX," he said.
The U.S. envoy, in turn, assured that she and her team would do their best to ensure that Ukraine receives vaccines against COVID-19 as soon as possible.
Kvien said the U.S. supported the Ukrainian Health Ministry's official position not to use the Russia-developed vaccine, which has not passed all phases of clinical trials. She said a meeting would be held with the U.S. government on the supply of vaccines to Ukraine, where the sides will discuss the deadlines and volumes of delivery.
In addition, she noted that their team would help the Health Ministry to work out the mechanics and develop an action plan for logistics and vaccination plans.