Ukraine introduces booster dose of COVID-19 vaccine for all vaccinated people

Ukraine has allowed a booster dose of the COVID-19 vaccine for all vaccinated persons over the age of 18. The optimal period of revaccination is from 6 to 9 months after the completion of the initial course of vaccination, regardless of what vaccine the person was vaccinated with.

The introduction of a booster dose of the COVID-19 vaccine has already demonstrated its safety. It enhances the immune response and effectiveness against various topical variants of the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus.

To date, data show that the effectiveness of vaccines in preventing the symptomatic course of COVID-19 caused by the Omicron variant is significantly lower compared to the Delta variant and decreases rapidly over time, especially among older people. The introduction of a booster dose brings the effectiveness of vaccines closer to 90% in preventing hospitalization due to COVID-19.

The main goal of vaccination against COVID-19 remains to prevent the severe course of the disease, especially among at-risk groups, and save lives, as well as protect the health system from overload. That is why it is critically important that as many elderly people, people with serious comorbidities and medical professionals as possible undergo an initial course of vaccination against COVID-19.

The Ministry of Health appeals to all unvaccinated people over the age of 60 to get vaccinated against COVID-19 as soon as possible. All the necessary conditions have been created for this – elderly people can make an appointment at the nearest vaccination point or center, where they have priority. People who cannot move independently can call a mobile team at home.

For the booster dose, regardless of which vaccine the person was vaccinated with, Moderna or Comirnaty by Pfizer-BioNTech m-RNA vaccines will be preferred. Those who have received the first two vaccinations with the Coronavac vaccine by Sinovac Biotech are advised to get a booster dose of Pfizer vaccine.

In the absence of mRNA vaccines, the booster dose can be made with another vaccine according to the schemes allowed in Ukraine.

People with weakened immune systems who are currently being given an additional dose of the COVID-19 vaccine will also be able to receive a booster dose 3 months after the additional one (the optimal period of administration is from 3 to 6 months).

If six months have passed since completing the full course of COVID-19 vaccination, you can get a booster dose at any point or vaccination center. The list and contacts of points and centers can be found at vaccination.covid19.gov.ua/list or by calling 0 800 60 20 19.

It should be recalled that the booster dose in Ukraine is already administered to people over the age of 60, medical workers and employees of boarding schools.

After the booster dose is administered, it will be possible to obtain a new COVID certificate, which will be valid for 270 days from the date of its administration. It will be possible to generate it in “Diia” approximately at the end of January 2022. Before that time the certificate for the previous full vaccination will be valid.