Key points
- 488,800 doses of the PENTA-Hib combination vaccine were delivered to Ukraine.
- The vaccine protects against five dangerous infections.
- The drug is used for free vaccination of children.
- The delivery was made as part of international support for the immunisation programme.
- The vaccines will be distributed among all regions of the country.
Ukraine has received 488,800 doses of the PENTA-Hib combination vaccine for free vaccination of children in accordance with the Preventive Vaccination Calendar. The vaccine provides protection against diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, viral hepatitis B and Haemophilus influenzae type b infection and is used within the national immunisation programme.
The vaccine is administered to children at 2, 4, 6 and 18 months of age. The use of a combined vaccine reduces the number of injections and at the same time builds up immune protection against diseases that can be severe and lead to serious complications. If a child has missed a scheduled vaccination, the doctor can draw up an individual vaccination schedule taking into account the child’s age and previous doses.
The vaccines were delivered as part of an international partnership in support of the national immunisation programme. Some of the vaccines were financed in accordance with the Immunoprophylaxis Development Strategy until 2030. The purchase and delivery of the vaccines to Ukraine was provided by international partners, and their distribution among regions is coordinated by the public health system.
The vaccines are currently stored in the national warehouse and will soon be distributed to healthcare facilities in all regions of the country. Vaccinations can be obtained from a family doctor, paediatrician or the nearest medical facility. All vaccinations included in the Preventive Vaccination Calendar remain free of charge.
Diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, hepatitis B and haemophilus influenzae infection are dangerous diseases that pose a particular threat to young children. Diphtheria affects the heart, nervous system and kidneys, while tetanus is accompanied by painful convulsions and can have a high mortality rate if left untreated. Whooping cough in infants can cause respiratory arrest and brain damage. Viral hepatitis B is dangerous because it can become chronic, with a risk of cirrhosis and liver cancer. Before vaccination was introduced, Haemophilus influenzae infection was one of the main causes of bacterial meningitis and pneumonia in children.
The only effective way to protect against these infections is timely vaccination.
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