Ukraine’s MoH proposes BCG vaccination at birth for newborns 

The Ukrainian Ministry of Health is planning a key change to its National Immunization Schedule in 2026. Among the updates is a proposal to administer the BCG vaccine to newborns within the first 24 hours of life, a shift from the current practice of vaccinating after 48 hours.

The announcement was made during a briefing at Media Center Ukraine by Fedir Lapii, Head of the National Technical Group of Experts on Immunization (NTGEI) and an infectious disease specialist.

“When it comes to adjusting the schedule or vaccination age, we recommend moving the BCG vaccination to the 24-hour mark,” Lapii stated. “As of now, the current schedule, valid through 2025, requires vaccination after 48 hours.”

Lapii emphasized that this adjustment would enable a more efficient use of BCG vaccines.

“The BCG vaccine can safely be given on the first day of life. While this practice is not yet a tradition in Ukraine, it is widely adopted globally and considered effective,” he explained. “We also recognize the importance of minimizing a newborn’s stay in maternity hospitals to reduce the risk of contracting antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections. Shorter hospital stays are linked to fewer complications, and this one-day adjustment allows better protection for newborns discharged earlier.”

He further clarified that the earlier administration would streamline vaccine use, ensuring infants are shielded against severe forms of tuberculosis before being transferred to primary health care providers.

The Ministry of Health has opened the proposed changes to the National Vaccination Schedule for public discussion. These amendments, outlined in the draft order “On Amendments to the Preventive Immunization Schedule in Ukraine,” are aligned with international recommendations and based on the position of the NTGEI (Position No. 19-11/2024-1).

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