The switch to international vaccine procurement has been launched, Health Minister of Ukraine Alexander Kvitashvili has said.

"This year a task to switch to international procurement has been set. Absolutely all legal acts to start the process are ready," he said, speaking at a cabinet meeting on August 28.

The minister said that this year seven programs to buy vaccines with 15 lots that would be administrated by international organizations have been launched.

Kvitashvili said that the ministry has announced tenders under 18 out of 25 programs as a part of domestic medicine and medical product procurement.

"The bids will start being opened on Monday, the process is underway," he said.

Earlier the Health Ministry reported that in the period from August 12 to August 21 the ministry announced tenders under the budget program on the implementation of some state programs, including the provision of UAH 200 million to buy digital mammographers and supersonic diagnostic units made in Ukraine. In addition, tenders to buy medicines and medical products have been announced.