UNICEF delivers nearly 157,000 doses of inactivated polio vaccine

KYIV, 15 June 2023 — Today, UNICEF delivered 156,960 doses of inactivated polio vaccine (IPV) to support Ukraine’s National Immunization Programme to protect children across Ukraine from the deadly disease.

“Due to the war and massive population displacement, people have been missing routine vaccinations and might not have regular access to medical care. This is why catching up on any missed vaccines is crucial,” said UNICEF Ukraine representative Murat Sahin.

Polio is a highly contagious disease that poses a serious threat to the nervous system and can potentially lead to paralysis or death. Paralysis can be lifelong, and many polio-affected persons can be disabled by the disease.

Although medicine to treat polio does not exist, the disease can be effectively prevented through vaccination. Six doses, given to infants at the age of 18 months, two, four, six and 14 years-old can provide lifelong protection. Protection weakens if any vaccinations are missed, therefore requiring a catch-up vaccination.

"The only effective way to prevent polio is vaccination. As part of the Ministry of Health's cooperation with the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), we systematically provide vaccination points across the country with the necessary vaccine”, stressed Deputy Minister, Chief State Sanitary Doctor Ihor Kuzin. “Ukraine adequately responded to the polio outbreak at the end of 2021 and, despite the challenges of wartime, provided the necessary polio control and vaccination measures as part of the Action Plan for the Outbreak of Circulating Vaccine-Related Poliovirus Type 2. However, the threat of polio spread remains and has even increased due to the war, as at least 144,000 more vaccinations as part of the forced immunization campaign to vaccinate children against IPV polio have not been completed. Therefore, it is important to provide vaccination services to all children who need it."

In April this year, UNICEF delivered 543,000 doses of oral polio vaccine (OPV) and 110,160 doses of inactivated polio vaccine (IPV) to protect Ukrainian children. Together, with partners, UNICEF will continue to support Ukraine to immunize children against polio and other preventable diseases.

"We urge parents to prioritize the protection of their children from the poliovirus through vaccination, as it remains the most reliable defense against infection. This call is particularly crucial amidst the ongoing war in Ukraine,” said Dr Jarno Habicht, WHO Representative in Ukraine. “Despite the challenging circumstances, the healthcare system continues to function, with the Ministry of Health and its partners working tirelessly to ensure access to essential services, medications, including vaccines, to safeguard the well-being of communities and individuals."

UNICEF delivers the polio vaccine as a part of its efforts within the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI).

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Note to editors

In 2022, to support immunization in Ukraine, UNICEF procured over 2 million doses of vaccines (polio vaccine, oral polio vaccine, Hepatitis B, tetanus-diphtheria, diphtheria-tetanus, measles-mumps-rubella, BCG for tuberculosis, pentavalent vaccine, rabies) at the request of the Ministry of Health and National Health Service.

Over 650,000 doses of polio vaccine and 35,200 doses of combination vaccines against measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) have already been delivered in 2023.

Furthermore, UNICEF bolstered the cold chain at all levels from national and regional stores to vaccination points: 

• UNICEF, under the COVAX initiative, purchased 26 freezers to be installed at the national and regional levels to strengthen the immunization chain.
• Almost 5,200 vaccine refrigerators and freezers procured with the World Bank funds and under installation will support safe vaccine storage at vaccination points. 
• UNICEF, with its own funds and USAID funds, procured 36 refrigerator vans for vaccine transportation from national to oblast and from Oblast to vaccination points. 
• Furthermore, vaccine carriers and cold boxes for vaccine storage and transportation for over 2,500 vaccination points and 800 mobile teams were distributed across Ukraine.

To support the vaccination process, UNICEF has already delivered almost 6.2 syringes in 2023.