Ukraine signs deal with Pfizer for 10 million coronavirus vaccine doses

Ukraine signed a contract with Pfizer for the supply of 10 million doses of its coronavirus vaccine, Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelenskiy said.

"I am deeply grateful to @AlbertBourla that after our conversation he kept his word and did everything to help the citizens of Ukraine in this difficult time of the pandemic," Zelenskiy said on Twitter.

Ukraine has lagged behind other European countries and has so far relied on a single batch of 500,000 doses of AstraZeneca vaccines from India received in late February and 215,000 Sinovac doses from China in late March, Reuters reported.

Ukraine is tightening lockdown restrictions in the worst-hit areas as coronavirus cases have soared in recent weeks after a winter lull. The capital Kyiv imposed a strict lockdown from April 5, restricting public transport and closing all schools and kindergartens.