60,000 doses of a combined vaccine that protects children from five diseases were delivered to Ukraine
It is about 60,000 doses of PENTA-Hib vaccine, a combination vaccine for the prevention of diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, hepatitis B, and Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) infection in children of the first year of life (with a whole-cell pertussis component). It was delivered by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) with the support of the Government of Japan. The vaccine will be distributed among the regions.
“On August 1, an additional round of vaccination of children and revaccination of adults against diphtheria and tetanus began across the country, according to the decision of the State Commission on Technogenic and Environmental Safety and Emergencies, which will last until the end of the year. The medical system provides the opportunity to get vaccinated both at vaccination points and during on-site sessions of vaccination teams of medical professionals in communities. Therefore, it is important for parents to check their own and their children’s vaccination status and, if they miss a vaccination, contact the nearest outpatient clinic and adjust the vaccination schedule.”
Since the beginning of 2024, Ukraine has already registered one case of diphtheria and eight cases of tetanus. Also, in the first seven months of 2024, 5,602 cases of pertussis were registered, which is 27 times more than in the same period last year. During 2022 — the first quarter of 2024, four cases of diphtheria were reported, while in 2020-2021 there were none.
“The advantage of this vaccine is that it helps protect children from five diseases at once. Only one shot is required and only one visit to a medical facility, which also means less stress for the child and parents. The combined PENTA-Hib vaccine is administered to children at 2, 4, 6 and 18 months. If your child has missed a routine vaccination, contact your doctor to get them protected from dangerous infections as soon as possible.”
Diphtheria is dangerous because even with timely treatment, about 20% of unvaccinated patients can die. The only way to protect against diphtheria and prevent the development of dangerous complications is to vaccinate children and revaccinate adults every 10 years.
Tetanus can be deadly if a person is not vaccinated. It can be contracted, for example, by cutting yourself with a nail or getting a thorn into your skin while gardening.
Pertussis can be contracted at any age, but in children of the first year of life, the disease can be extremely severe, causing complications such as pneumonia, and brain damage, and can lead to death. Vaccination prevents severe manifestations of the disease and possible complications.
In 2023, 83.4% of Ukrainian children under one year of age received the required three doses of diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis vaccine, and 79.2% of children under one year of age were vaccinated against hepatitis B.
Like any drug, vaccines can cause reactions, but the risk of dying from, for example, diphtheria is much higher than the risk of a serious reaction to the vaccine, which is extremely rare. Reactions such as pain and swelling at the injection site or fever are common.
Vaccinations are available free of charge in public healthcare facilities or private clinics that have signed an agreement with the National Health Service.
For reference: in 2024 at the request of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine, UNICEF procured 350,000 doses of diphtheria, pertussis and tetanus (DPT) vaccine, 340,000 doses of oral polio vaccine, 403,200 doses of omicron-specific vaccines and 52,800 doses of pediatric coronavirus vaccine produced by Pfizer, 108,200 doses of the combined measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine with the support of the Government of Japan, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (GAVI).
UNICEF is also working with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the World Bank, and the COVAX initiative to modernize Ukraine’s cold chain infrastructure. As of today, about 95% of healthcare facilities and almost 80% of vaccination points in Ukraine are already provided with modern cold chain equipment and electronic temperature recorders. The process of updating the cold chain is ongoing.