The Government Fights Back
The Ukrainian government is well aware and has adopted a ‘carrot-and-stick’ approach to go alongside its public information campaigns.
The carrot? All fully vaccinated Ukrainians will receive 1000 UAH ($35 USD) through Diia to spend on tickets to cinemas or theatres, or memberships to gyms or museums.
The stick? Those caught with fake certificates – or issuing such certificates will face far stiffer fines.
Ukrainians can expect to pay up to $1300 USD – more than double the average monthly salary – if found with a fake certificate, up from $35 USD last month.
“Jail sentences are on the table.“
It’s even worse if you issue the fake certificates. Doctors face fines of up to $2600 USD (up from $130 USD), will be banned from practising medicine for up to three years, and could very well face jail time.
Getting Vaccinated Before the Holidays
The government is imploring Ukrainians to get vaccinated before visiting their loved ones this holiday season.
Zelensky recently stated he hoped to see 30 million vaccinations by the end of the year. It’s a far cry from his goal at the vaccine rollout, when that number stood at 70%.
With two weeks to go, less than 13 million Ukrainians are fully vaccinated – not even 30% of the population. Less than 1 in 3 Ukrainians have received their first dose.
Still, the government is making an effort. It has promised to keep vaccination centres working throughout the holidays so that people can get vaccinated whenever it’s most convenient.
“No one will stop”, said Kyrylo Tymoshenko, Deputy Head of the President’s Office, in a statement. “We are currently developing plans with the Ministry of Health and regional leaders for vaccination and the public holidays. That all vaccination centres [will] work and people [will] have the opportunity to come and get vaccinated.”
The timing couldn’t be more urgent.
Omicron is the most contagious COVID-19 variant yet. And while it could affect those already vaccinated, it’s effects are expected to be far milder. Howe ver, the volume of patients could overwhelm hospitals just the same.
The question remains – will its holiday arrival shake Ukrainians from their vaccination malaise?
Booster Rollout
Currently, the following vaccines are offered in Ukraine – Pfizer’s Comirnaty, AstraZeneca’s Covishield, Moderna, and Coronavac / Sinovac. Johnson & Johnson is recognised in Ukraine, but not yet available for citizens.
As Omicron has been shown to affect even those fully vaccinated, the government announced plans this week to allow those with weakened immune systems to access a third dose. It is the same group that had initial access when the vaccines were first rolled out.
Notably, this group does not include high-risk groups like health care workers or Ukrainians 60 years of age or older; a problem already identified from the initial vaccine rollout.
Ukrainian Health Minister Viktor Lyashko explained that this is due to the timing of each group’s initial vaccine shots.
Lyashko also explained that the government is currently studying the rollout of a booster shot campaign. He believes this will happen in January or February, after more than 50% of Ukrainians have been vaccinated.
As the effectiveness of the vaccine wears off after six months, the European Medicines Agency suggests receiving a third dose six months after being fully vaccinated – even before the Omicron variant was discovered.
As only recently have Ukrainians begun to be vaccinated, this leaves the Ukrainian Ministry of Health time to prepare for the rollout.
Lyashko expects no issues with the supply of the vaccines.
You can find out more about how – and where – to get vaccinated on the Ukrainian government’s dedicated COVID-19 vaccination page at vaccination.covid19.gov.ua.
