Ukraine plans switching to long-term planning of vaccine procurements in 2018, Deputy Health Minister Olha Stefanyshyna told Interfax-Ukraine on Tuesday, 30 January.
"The production period of vaccines is at least 12 months and it cannot be avoided. There is also a shortage of vaccines worldwide due to limited number and the capacity of production sites, and huge demand. In developed countries, there is a long-term planning of procurement of vaccines. We are discussing this approach for Ukraine, and hope that our country in 2018 will move to long-term planning for a few years ahead," Stefanyshyna said.
She said that to do this, the country must amend the Budget Code, so the ministry hopes for the support of the Verkhovna Rada.
"Fortunately, we have enough vaccines in stock and can order them for three years in advance and create a 25% vaccine stockpile. To do this, the legislation needs to be changed. The ministry has the political will and the support on the part of the prime minister. I hope the legislators will support us," she said.
In 2015 – 2016, Ukraine faced an acute shortage of vaccines, in connection with which their procurement was given over to international organizations.