The official says the additional doses are still a "potential opportunity."
Ukraine could receive an additional 8 million doses of a COVID-19 vaccine for free as part of the COVAX Facility, in addition to the already guaranteed 8 million. Thus, the total number of doses to be provided could reach 16 million.
This was announced by Ukraine's Chief Medical Officer Viktor Liashko in an interview for Radio NV.
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He specified that an additional 8 million doses are still a "potential opportunity."
"Ukraine could count on at least 8 million doses of the vaccine, that is, this is the calculated number of doses in accordance with 20% of the total population. We are continuing negotiations with them [the World Health Organization, WHO] to ensure more doses. Everything will depend on the total the cost of vaccines that fall into the COVAX portfolio. There is a potential possibility that Ukraine may be given 16 million doses through this facility – it's under discussion, but there are no guarantees yet. Eight million is a 100% guarantee, 16 [million] is a potential opportunity," he explained.
Together with vaccines, the GAVI Alliance (formerly the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunisation) will also supply syringes and biological safety boxes to Ukraine, he added.