Immunization, epidemiological surveillance and the fight against antimicrobial resistance: The Ministry of Health and WHO discussed priorities for cooperation in the field of public health

This was discussed during a joint meeting of representatives of the Ministry of Health, the Public Health Center and the WHO Office. In particular, Deputy Minister of Health, Chief State Sanitary Doctor of Ukraine Ihor Kuzin, specialists of the Ministry and the Center for Public Health discussed priority areas of cooperation in the field of public health during a meeting with Robb Butler, Director of the Division of Infectious Diseases, Environment and Health of the WHO Office for the European Region, Dean Kearns, Health Program Coordinator of the WHO Office in Ukraine, and heads of departments of the WHO Office in Ukraine. They are in line with the priorities set out in the Healthcare System Development Strategy for the period up to 2030, which was approved by the Government in January 2025.

Support for the immunization program, in accordance with the National Immunization Strategy until 2030, community-based infectious disease surveillance, vaccination advocacy and cooperation on environmental safety, taking into account the One Health cross-sectoral approach - the Ministry of Health of Ukraine will cooperate with the World Health Organization (WHO) in these areas. In particular, in the context of the proposed changes to the National Vaccination Schedule starting in 2026, experts discussed the effectiveness of HPV vaccination, considering the experience of countries where it was introduced earlier. They also assessed the risks of possible infectious disease outbreaks and response plans at the level of individual communities in line with international standards. It was also about strengthening the surveillance, early detection, and expansion of testing services for infectious diseases such as tuberculosis, HIV and viral hepatitis at the primary health care facilities level.

The meeting participants paid special attention to discussing the problem of antimicrobial resistance. In 2015, the WHO launched a global surveillance system for antimicrobial resistance and the use of antimicrobial agents. Ukraine joined it a few years ago and has been actively implementing the changes necessary to counter the problem. In particular, the standard “Rational Use of Antibacterial and Antifungal Drugs for Therapeutic and Prophylactic Purposes” was amended to include ceftriaxone and levofloxacin as reserve antibiotics. The innovation prohibits the use of these drugs as the first choice, and even more so for prophylactic purposes when the pathogen has not been identified. First, a physician must provide a written justification and approval from a clinical pharmacist before prescribing these antibiotics.

It should be recalled that in December 2024, the Government approved the State Strategy for Combating Antimicrobial Resistance until 2030, developed by the Ministry of Health. As well as the operational plan for its implementation for 2024-2026. The strategy includes expanding the national network of microbiological laboratories, strengthening the infection control system at the level of healthcare facilities, and surveillance of resistant pathogens, taking into account the One Health intersectoral approach.