Responding to the COVID-19 pandemic with life-saving supplies
Since the start of the COVID-19 outbreak, UNICEF has been delivering life-saving health supplies to help countries in their response to the pandemic.
Despite major disruptions to global supply chains, UNICEF has been working around the clock to deliver critical supplies where they are needed most. Discover the items UNICEF is procuring and delivering around the world.
COVID-19 vaccines
UNICEF has all-hands-on deck to procure and supply COVID-19 vaccines and other equipment to countries around the world. UNICEF does this in a variety of ways, including through pooled funding initiatives such as COVAX and by supporting countries through our Procurement Services. As the largest single vaccine buyer in the world, UNICEF is uniquely placed to lead these efforts. Find out more about how UNICEF is responding to the pandemic.
COVAX
Through the COVAX Facility – led by Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, WHO and CEPI – UNICEF is working to secure global equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines.
Bilateral support
Supporting countries to access COVID-19 vaccines through UNICEF's Procurement Services, including via the ACT-A Supplies Financing Facility (SFF).
AU-AVAT
The African Union’s African Vaccine Acquisition Trust (AVAT) initiative: procuring and delivering COVID-19 vaccines to African Union Member States
COVID-19 Vaccine Market Dashboard
Up-to-date information on the COVID-19 vaccine market, including distribution of vaccines and syringes.
Personal protective equipment
The proper use of quality-assured PPE is crucial to prevent exposure to COVID-19. PPE includes medical masks, gowns, goggles, gloves, face shields and other items that are used by frontline health care and other essential workers to keep safe from infectious diseases. UNICEF is working to ensure PPE is affordable and accessible for countries.
Diagnostics
The early and accurate detection of COVID-19 is critical to allow countries to trace and control the spread of the virus. Since the start of the pandemic, labs around the world have been using molecular PCR tests to detect the virus that causes COVID-19. While these provide an almost definitive result, they require laboratory infrastructure and can take several days to return a result.
UNICEF is supporting countries’ COVID-19 response by providing diagnostic tests, including rapid antigen tests, at the most affordable prices on the market.