Stepanov explains how to use “extra” doses of COVID vaccine

If the unused doses remain during COVID-19 vaccination, vaccinations will be given to people who should receive it at other stages.

According to Ukraine 24, Minister of Health Maksym Stepanov stated this.

"The bottle is designed for 10 doses. In all countries of the world, there is a situation when doses remain (after opening one vial – ed.). We've found a solution to this problem so that no dose of the vaccine remains so that we don't have to dispose of it. In particular, we will add people from other stages, when we see that the number of medical workers isn't a multiple of 10, that is, there'll be vaccine remainders," Stepanov said.

According to him, health workers don't refuse COVID-19 vaccination, just many of them have already contracted coronavirus and can be vaccinated later.

Minister also reminded me that side effects could occur in a few people with any vaccination. The most common of these may be fever, redness where the immunobiological drug was administered directly. In some cases, an allergic reaction to certain components of the vaccine is possible.

"If we compare the benefits (from vaccination – ed.) and the risk of side effects, it's clear that the benefits are much greater; you're protected from a deadly disease. If you've been vaccinated, you'll either not get sick or you'll have a mild course of the disease. But you definitely won't get to the intensive care unit, you won't have serious consequences, and you'll definitely be alive. The benefits are obvious," Stepanov said.

To recap, Stepanov became the first Ukrainian high-ranking official to be vaccinated against COVID-19.