Ukraine plans to tighten vaccination requirements for access to educational institutions
Ukraine is drafting a new law on infectious diseases that calls for an overhaul of the prevention system and stricter vaccination requirements. Key changes include mandatory vaccinations and stricter rules for admitting children to educational institutions if they lack the required immunizations.
Ukraine is proposing to update the rules for protecting the population from infectious diseases — from establishing a vaccination schedule and defining the list of mandatory vaccinations to strengthening safety controls for immunobiological products, regulating the response to potential adverse reactions, and clearly delineating the division of responsibilities among government agencies in this area.
In 2022, the Verkhovna Rada adopted the Law “On the Public Health System,” which changed the state’s approach to protecting the population from infectious diseases and introduced a new system of prevention and response. In this regard, Bill No. 15286 was introduced in parliament, which provides for the replacement of the current 2000 Law “On the Protection of the Population from Infectious Diseases” and the alignment of regulations with the new public health system.
The bill changes the approach to infection prevention; in particular, it grants the Ministry of Health the authority to determine the list of infections that can be prevented by vaccination, to establish a list of mandatory vaccinations, and to approve the vaccination schedule.
The bill grants the Ministry of Health the authority to determine which infectious diseases can be prevented by vaccination, as well as to establish a list of mandatory vaccinations and approve the preventive vaccination schedule. In addition, the Ministry of Health is granted the authority to determine which vaccinations are mandatory for different population groups—based on age, health status, or the epidemiological situation.
The document also introduces an official definition of adverse events following vaccination and establishes procedures for responding to cases of complications. All data on vaccinations administered, as well as recorded refusals, will be subject to mandatory entry into the electronic health system.
According to the draft law, mandatory vaccinations based on age, vaccinations for individuals with missed doses, rabies prevention, and vaccinations based on epidemic indications will be provided free of charge. It is proposed that such measures be funded from the state and local budgets, as well as from other sources permitted by law.
The procurement of vaccines and medical devices for mandatory age-based vaccinations and for rabies prevention will be funded from the state budget.
At the same time, it is proposed that vaccines for health-related vaccinations, vaccinations based on epidemic indications, or vaccinations in specific regions be funded primarily from local budgets. Local governments are also granted the right to develop their own immunization programs.
The procedure for distributing vaccines and medical supplies among healthcare facilities is also defined—it must be established by the Ministry of Health. Vaccinations may only be administered by trained medical or pharmaceutical personnel, who are required to inform patients about the effectiveness of vaccination and potential risks. A medical examination and the consent of the patient or their legal representatives are mandatory prior to vaccination. In the event of a refusal to be vaccinated, the healthcare worker is required to document this in writing, and if this is not possible, to draw up an official report.
In particular, the bill regulates the prevention of infectious diseases in educational institutions and children’s health and recreation facilities. According to the bill, children may be admitted to such facilities only if they have a medical certificate or an extract from their medical record issued by the healthcare facility where the child is under supervision. Such a document is issued based on a medical examination and provided there are no contraindications to the child’s stay at the facility, as well as provided vaccinations have been administered in accordance with the vaccination schedule, unless there are medical restrictions.
The bill stipulates that children who have not received preventive vaccinations in accordance with the schedule may not attend educational institutions or children’s health and recreation facilities. Exceptions are provided only in cases where the vaccination was not administered or was administered outside the prescribed timeframe due to temporary or permanent medical contraindications. In such situations, provided the epidemiological situation is favorable, a decision on a child’s admission may be made by a medical advisory commission at a healthcare facility.
Among other things, the responsibilities of employees at educational institutions and children’s health and recreation facilities are defined. They must continuously monitor the children’s health, and if an infectious disease is detected, ensure the isolation of the sick child from others and immediately report the case to a healthcare facility.
Employees are also responsible for providing systematic hygiene education and training to children.
The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine must bring its regulatory acts into compliance with this law by the time the new law enters into force, as well as ensure that other central executive bodies update their subordinate legislation. Separately, the government must, within six months, prepare and submit to parliament amendments to the Criminal Code of Ukraine and the Code of Ukraine on Administrative Offenses, which propose introducing liability for violations of legislation in the field of protecting the population from infectious diseases, reports the “Judicial and Legal Gazette.”
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