UNICEF Iran delivers vital vaccines amidst post-conflict health response

Following the 12-day conflict in June, UNICEF Iran has delivered large shipments of vaccines to help protect children from dangerous diseases. The vaccines, procured at the request of the Ministry of Health and Medical Education (MoHME) include the following: 

• Rabies vaccine: On August 23, 15,000 doses arrived, with another 74,400 expected by the end of September. Rabies is a deadly disease spread through the bite of infected animals.
• Rotavirus vaccine: Over 1 million doses were delivered on August 21 and 23, with earlier supplies in May. This vaccine protects children from severe diarrhea, a major cause of child illness.
• Pentavalent vaccine: More than 255,000 doses also arrived on August 23. This single shot protects babies against five dangerous diseases, including diphtheria, Hib, whooping cough, hepatitis B, and tetanus. 

In 2024, UNICEF also supported the rollout of the Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine (PCV), now part of Iran’s routine immunization schedule. PCV protects children from pneumonia, meningitis, and other serious infections—diseases that remain leading causes of death in children under five worldwide. 

These deliveries highlight UNICEF’s close cooperation with the Iranian government and global partners like the GAVI Alliance. Together, they aim to ensure every child in Iran has access to life-saving vaccines, even in times of crisis.