“Since October 2023, approximately six thousand cases of coronavirus infection have been recorded in the Kharkiv region

Olena Lohvynova, the deputy head of the Kharkiv Regional Military Administration, and Nelia Novitska, the deputy general manager of the State Institution “Kharkiv Regional Center for Disease Control and Prevention of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine,” provided information on the incidence of flu, COVID-19, and preventive measures against complications from viral hepatitis A in the Kharkiv region. 

According to the first speaker, since the beginning of the epidemic season, over 26 thousand people in the Kharkiv region have fallen ill with the flu and acute respiratory viral infections (ARVI), with around 10 thousand of them being children. Over one and a half thousand people, more than a third of whom are children, have been hospitalized. 

“Comparing the same period last year, the incidence has increased by 27.5%. At the same time, the intensity of the epidemiological process in the Kharkiv region corresponds to a low level and is entirely controlled,” said Ms. Lohvynova. 

She also noted that since the beginning of the epidemic season, 34 fatal cases of COVID-19 have been registered. The deputy head of the regional administration emphasized that simultaneous vaccination against the flu and coronavirus is reasonable and entirely safe: 

“As of December 4 this year, nearly 2.7 thousand people in the Kharkiv region have been vaccinated against the flu, with about 2.3 thousand being individuals at risk: medical workers and children under 5 years old.” 

Olena Lohvynova explained that vaccination against COVID-19 is allowed from the age of 5. The Comarnity vaccine, which contains three times less active substance than for adults, is used for children. 

According to the speaker, there is a sufficient supply of free vaccines against coronavirus in the region. Booster vaccines will arrive soon. Vaccination can be done at 135 vaccination points operating throughout the Kharkiv region. 

Regarding viral hepatitis A, Ms. Lohvynova noted that this disease is an acute anthropozoonotic infectious disease that can be contracted through the consumption of contaminated water and food or a lack of adherence to personal hygiene rules. 

According to the information from the Public Health Center of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine, an outbreak of viral hepatitis A with more than 300 affected individuals has been registered in Vinnytsia from October to November of this year. 

As for the incidence of this disease in the Kharkiv region, the deputy head of the KhOVA stated that the epidemiological situation is completely controlled. As of December 8, 13 cases of infection have been registered in the region. 

Vaccination against hepatitis A is not mandatory in Ukraine. However, the country has registered two vaccines against the disease. The vaccine can be purchased at one’s own expense, while military personnel receive it free of charge. 

Nelia Novitska mentioned that the epidemiological season of viral diseases in Ukraine started on October 2 this year. According to her, the Kharkiv Regional Center for Disease Control and Prevention of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine has examined nearly six thousand people during this time. 95% of the indicators indicate a history of coronavirus infection. The circulation of flu viruses has not been laboratory-confirmed.”

Read more: https://mediacenter.org.ua/news