In russia’s Regions – a Massive Shortage of Vaccines Against Chickenpox and Other Diseases

russia is facing a shortage of vaccines for its citizens. The problem concerns not only complex diseases for which medicines are hard to obtain – it is now also difficult to find a vaccine against chickenpox, which is rapidly spreading.

Parents are facing serious difficulties in trying to have their children vaccinated against chickenpox. In some regions, the vaccine is unavailable in both public and private medical institutions. The situation is currently difficult in Sverdlovsk, Voronezh, Kirov, Samara, and Chelyabinsk regions, as well as in Tatarstan.

Local residents report prolonged interruptions in vaccine supplies. Parents are forced to seek vaccination opportunities in other regions, but this is not always possible due to the general shortage of the vaccine throughout the country. In the first eight months of 2025, cases of chickenpox were registered in all regions of russia. On average, children account for 94.8 % of cases nationwide.

It has also become known that even newborns are not receiving the necessary vaccine against five dangerous diseases: diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, polio, and Haemophilus influenzae type b. For example, children’s clinics in the Altai Territory are experiencing an acute shortage of Pentaxim and Prevenar 13 vaccines. russian women who have just given birth are writing petitions stating that there is a shortage of vaccines and they are forced to turn to private clinics, paying five thousand rubles for one vaccine. The same problem has been reported in Vladimir, Belgorod, Omsk, Samara, Kursk regions, and in Tyumen.

The irony is that in the midst of epidemics, the authorities are calling on citizens “not to panic” and to get vaccinated responsibly – but there are no vaccines. In the best traditions of a “superpower”,  russians have received not protection from diseases, but queues, refusals, and empty shelves in clinics. They are advised to take care of their health, but in fact are left alone with epidemics  – without choice and without medications.