For the attention of healthcare professionals: how to use 15 doses from a bottle of Moderna vaccine

On July 18, the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) delivered 2,000,040 doses of COVID-19 mRNA vaccine manufactured by the American company Moderna to Ukraine. This batch of vaccines is provided by the US government through the COVAX global fund.

This was reported by the UNICEF press center.

The Ministry of Health has developed an explanation of the use of Moderna, including 15 doses in vials.

Each vial of Moderna vaccine contains 15 doses, which should be used with syringes available in Ukraine and thanks to the responsible attitude of doctors who provide vaccinations.

It should be noted that the Moderna vaccine (code name mRNA-1273 and trade name Spikevax), which Ukraine received on July 18 as part of the global COVAX initiative, is supplied in vials that are designed for 13-15 doses (as indicated in the instructions for the drug). During the distribution and transfer of the Moderna vaccine to Ukraine, COVAX representatives counted 14 doses per vial, taking the average number. According to these calculations, on July 18, Ukraine received 2,000,040 doses of Moderna vaccine (assuming that the vials contain 14 doses).

At the same time, the 0.5-LDV and Soloshot Mini self-locking syringes used in Ukraine allow for the effective use of all 15 doses of the vaccine from each vial. This means that we have the opportunity to consume 142,860 additional doses.

The Ministry of Health urges doctors to use the Moderna vaccine as efficiently as possible:

• when receiving and distributing Moderna vaccine, indicate for each vial "15 doses received";
• inject 15 doses from each vial;
• minimize spillage;
• create vaccination lists in advance;
• plan vaccine consumption to avoid leftovers and waste.

The increase in the number of vaccinated people is the responsibility and merit of the vaccination teams and doctors working at the vaccination points, who, thanks to the available syringes, can use all 15 doses from each Moderna vaccine vial. And each additional dose is a life saved.

As a reminder, Health Minister Viktor Liashko announced the fifth stage of the coronavirus vaccination. Everyone over the age of 18 can get vaccinated against COVID-19.

Read more about the quarantine and coronavirus situation in the region in our feed.