COVID-19 in Ukraine: Vaccine Expiry Dates and Innovative Drugs

Only two regions are in the « orange » epidemic danger zone.

More than 35,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccines are nearing their expiry date, and innovative drugs « must reach every region ». We bring you the latest news on the coronavirus pandemic in Ukraine. 

Vaccine Expiry Dates

Of the more than 11 million COVID-19 vaccine doses available in the country, 35,676 are approaching their expiry date. The Ministry of Health reported that currently the national, regional and local warehouses hold 6,998,206 doses of CoronaVac, 1,687,688 doses of Comirnaty (Pfizer) and 2,771,190 doses of AstraZeneca.

On September 30, the expiry date applies to 1,640 doses of AstraZeneca and 34,036 doses of Pfizer. By October 31, the expiry date applies to 1,604,591 doses of AstraZeneca and 5,772 doses of Pfizer, and by November 30 to 1,164,959 doses of AstraZeneca and 2,862 doses of Pfizer.

In addition, 2,862 doses of Pfizer will remain usable until the end of November, 767,722 doses until December 31, and 877,296 doses until January 31, 2022. 159,600 doses of CoronaVac will remain usable until June 15, 2022, and 8,838,606 doses until April–August 2023. 

The ministry noted that an average of 107,000 vaccinations per day are currently being carried out in Ukraine, but « the pace is already increasing ». 

The ministry reported: « Since the announcement » of the yellow epidemic danger level, the number of first doses of the COVID-19 vaccine has increased by almost 25%. This indicates increased demand for COVID-19 vaccination.

On weekdays, an average of 60,000 to 80,000 vaccinations with Pfizer are carried out, and about 25,000 with AstraZeneca. 

Innovative Drugs

By the end of this week, COVID-19 drugs produced in the US, bamlanivimab and etesevimab, will be delivered to all regions of Ukraine. 

Oleksandr Komarida
Deputy Head of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine

Last week we began delivering COVID-19 drugs, bamlanivimab and etesevimab, to the regions. The drugs were produced in the US and were transferred to Ukraine as humanitarian cargo with the assistance of the Embassy of Ukraine in the US. Bamlanivimab and etesevimab treat the coronavirus through monoclonal antibodies. <...> By the end of this week, bamlanivimab and etesevimab must reach every region.

According to him, the European Commission recently signed a contract for the supply of these drugs and a framework agreement on joint procurement with the pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly. Europe will also treat its coronavirus patients with monoclonal antibodies. 

Situation in the Regions

Currently, only two regions of Ukraine are in the « orange » epidemic danger zone: Donetsk and Chernivtsi. These regions have exceeded the threshold value for the dynamics of hospitalization levels. 

In addition, the occupancy level of oxygen beds has been exceeded in Chernivtsi region. Cherkasy and Ternopil regions have joined the other regions that are « yellow ». 

In 22 regions of Ukraine and in Kyiv, the incidence level has been exceeded. Only Zakarpattia and Kirovohrad regions have indicators within the norm. 

Since the start of the vaccination campaign in Ukraine, 6,926,717 people have received the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. 5,565,270 people have received both doses. 

A total of 12,491,987 vaccinations have been carried out in the country since February 24. On September 28, 132,246 people were vaccinated: 75,188 received the first dose and 57,058 were fully immunized. 

On Tuesday, 897 mobile teams, 3,063 vaccination points and 345 vaccination centers worked to immunize the population.