Shortage of flu vaccines: The Ministry of Health confirmed that the state does not purchase and explained who is responsible

20 November 17:58

Ukrainians are complaining en masse: there is no flu vaccine in pharmacies, private clinics have a limited supply, and the SARS season is already in full swing. People have actually set up “search headquarters” on social media, trying to find at least one available dose. At the same time, the Ministry of Health, responding to a request from Kommersant Ukrainian, did not provide data on the number of vaccines in the regions and actually confirmed that the state does not purchase flu vaccines centrally. Why can’t Ukrainians find a flu vaccine even in private clinics? How did it happen that the country entered the epidemic season with a shortage? And is the system ready for a possible surge in the incidence?

What about flu vaccines?

The Ministry of Health has officially confirmed that the state does not purchase flu vaccines, and their availability depends entirely on local authorities, donors, and private purchases.

“Influenza vaccines are not currently included in the Nomenclature and are recommended. Local authorities may decide to purchase them at the expense of local budgets, donors or other sources,” the Ministry of Health explains.

Thus, the supply of influenza vaccines depends on local authorities and the private market.

In October, UNICEF Ukraine announced the delivery of 20,000 doses of influenza vaccine for free immunization of healthcare workers in all regions of Ukraine. This shipment was received as part of the Ministry of Health’s cooperation with the international PiVi initiative, and its delivery and distribution was coordinated by UNICEF and the Center for Public Health. However, the vaccines received cover only a small part of the real need of the population.

Despite the start of the vaccination season, Ukrainians are widely reporting shortages in pharmacies and private clinics, and doctors confirm that supplies are much lower than last year.

Facebook users publicly turn to each other in search of affordable vaccines.

Journalists from Channel 5 report that in a number of regions, vaccines have virtually disappeared from pharmacy chains. In Zaporizhzhia, the situation is critical:

“Private medical institutions say that there will be no Vaxigrippe this season. As for Jetsi Flu, we have to wait, it may appear later, but there are no guarantees,” zprz.city reports.

Currently, only two vaccines are officially available in Ukraine:

“Vaxigrippe Tetra” (Sanofi)
“Jetsi Flu (Biopharma Corp.)

However, this season, they were supplied much less than in previous years.

Thus, Ukraine has entered the flu season with a significant shortage of vaccines, and information about new deliveries is still unclear. Social media has become a “vaccine search site,” and private clinics do not guarantee new batches.

What is known about the COVID-19 vaccine?

Instead, the Ministry of Health emphasizes in its response that as of November 1, 2025, there is no shortage of vaccines for the prevention of COVID-19 in Ukraine.

“As of 01.11.2025, there are 342,532 doses of COVID-19 vaccine in the country’s stocks… There is no shortage of vaccines for the prevention of COVID-19,” said Ihor Povoroznyk.

According to the Ministry of Health:

168,820 doses are stored at the national level;
173,712 doses – at the regional level.

Types of vaccines available:

At the national level:

Comirnaty for adults – 167,220 doses
Comirnaty for children (6 months – 4 years) – 1,600 doses

At the regional level:

Comirnaty for adults – 169,049 doses
Comirnaty (6 months – 4 years) – 2,775 doses
Comirnaty (5-11 years) – 1,888 doses

Epidemic situation: no sharp increase

The Ministry of Health reports that the situation with COVID-19 and influenza in Ukraine remains stable.

“The epidemic situation regarding COVID-19 and influenza has remained stable in recent weeks… There has been no increase in hospitalizations or mortality,” the ministry said in a response.

In recent weeks:

COVID-19: