At the initiative of the Ministry of Health, the Public Health Center and regional centers for disease control and prevention, with the support of WHO and UNICEF, are launching additional immunization activities against pertussis, diphtheria, and tetanus. The additional round of immunization will last until the end of the year. In particular, doctors remind children who have missed routine vaccinations according to the National Immunization Calendar and adults who have not received a booster shot of the importance of vaccinations and invite them to get vaccinated.
From August 1, an additional round of vaccination of children and revaccination of adults will begin across the country, by decision of the State Commission for TEB and Emergency Situations, which will last until the end of the year. The medical system provides the opportunity to receive vaccinations both at vaccination points and during field sessions of vaccination teams of doctors to communities. Therefore, it is important for parents to check their and their children's vaccination status and, in case of missing a vaccination, contact the nearest outpatient clinic and adjust the vaccination schedule
Vaccination is the only way to protect against these dangerous infectious diseases at any age. The effectiveness of vaccination is 95-100%.
The goal of additional immunization activities is to vaccinate 80% Ukrainians who missed their scheduled immunization against pertussis, diphtheria, and tetanus.
All vaccines to catch up on missed vaccinations against diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis are available in Ukraine for both children and adults. This amounts to over 1.8 million doses of vaccines, which are centrally supplied to the regions, including healthcare facilities, and provided free of charge to all citizens of Ukraine.
Vaccines have saved more lives than any other medical invention in history. We urge parents to take care of their children by making sure they have all the necessary vaccinations. Adults also need to take care of themselves by getting timely booster shots. UNICEF, as before, is committed to achieving universal immunization of the population despite the war in the country.
The pandemic has reduced routine vaccination coverage in over 100 countries around the world. In Ukraine, the number of people missing mandatory vaccinations has increased, also due to a full-scale war and a large number of displaced people.
Everyone should be vaccinated against diphtheria and tetanus, starting from the first year of life.
Pregnancy and certain chronic diseases are not contraindications. In Ukraine, vaccinations for the prevention of diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis according to the Vaccination Calendar are given to children four times: at two, four and six months, with the first revaccination at 18 months. The fifth vaccination is given with the ADP vaccine at six years of age - this is the second revaccination against diphtheria and tetanus, without the pertussis component. The sixth vaccination, the third revaccination, is given at 16 years of age
with the ADP-M vaccine with reduced content of diphtheria and tetanus antigens. After that, adults need to renew their protection against diphtheria and tetanus every ten years.
What are the dangers of whooping cough, diphtheria, and tetanus?
Cough is an acute bacterial infectious disease of the respiratory tract.
It is characterized by severe coughing attacks that can last for weeks or even months. It is spread through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. It mostly affects children and adolescents, but adults can also get sick.
Whooping cough is most dangerous for infants, in whom it can cause temporary cessation of breathing (apnea), and in general, the disease has a high risk of complications and death in newborns and infants. In 2024, two children under the age of 1 died from whooping cough in Ukraine.
Diphtheria — an acute infectious disease that affects mainly the mucous membranes of the upper respiratory tract and the skin, forming characteristic films that can cause serious complications. The bacterium enters the human body through the respiratory tract, where it begins to secrete a toxin that enters the bloodstream and affects various organs, most often the heart, nervous system and kidneys. Even despite timely treatment, about 20 % unvaccinated patients die.
Tetanus — an acute infectious disease caused by a bacterium that secretes a powerful toxin, affects the nervous system and leads to severe painful muscle spasms (convulsions). You can get tetanus if the pathogen enters through skin damage: wounds, cuts, burns, animal bites, injury with sharp objects, wood fragments.
For example, a child can become infected by being cut by a nail that is contaminated with soil. The mortality rate from tetanus is 25–80%.
Department of Epidemiological Surveillance (Observation) and Prevention of Infectious Diseases of the Chuguiv Branch of the State Institution "KHARKIV OCCPKH" of the Ministry of Health