Liashko explains that JFO members, deputies, priests and cultural figures will be able to get the COVID vaccine out of turn

• participants in hostilities who defended the independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of Ukraine and took a direct part in the anti-terrorist operation, ensuring its conduct,
• People's Deputies of Ukraine, heads of central executive bodies, regional state administrations, regional councils, local government bodies, structural subdivisions on health care of state administrations,
• chief state sanitary doctors (of regions, cities of Kyiv, by water, air, railway transport),
• leaders and representatives of religious organizations;
• outstanding writers, journalists, athletes, musicians, actors, singers, other cultural figures over the age of 60," Liashko said.

According to him, the list of public figures of the region which can be vaccinated in case of residual doses on a particular day is formed by the regional Departments of Health together with the press services of the regional state administration.

"When it becomes clear that there are residual doses on the day of vaccination, the person in charge of the lists of public figures specifies which of the public figures will be vaccinated. Public figures must be ready to come to the vaccination site within the time until the mandatory disposal of residues from the moment of announcing the availability of such doses," Liashko said.

The Deputy Minister stressed that all those who were vaccinated out of turn would receive a second dose of the same vaccine within the period specified in the official instructions for the COVID-19 vaccine.

On February 23, 500,000 doses of COVID-19 Covishield vaccine developed by AstraZeneca were delivered to Ukraine. Vaccination began on February 24.

On March 1, the Ministry of Health allowed vaccination against COVID-19, with unused doses of the vaccine remaining after vaccinating physicians in the first phase of the vaccination campaign. In particular, from the beginning of the campaign, it's allowed to use possible vaccine residues for vaccination of public figures, cultural and sports figures to promote vaccination.

The Covishield/AstraZeneca vaccine is supplied to Ukraine in multi-dose vials. Each vial of the vaccine contains 10 doses of the drug. After opening the vial, the vaccine should be used for 6 hours, as long as one session of the mobile field team lasts. Re-freezing an already opened bottle or using it after 6 hours from the moment of opening the vial is prohibited.