Honduras receives first doses of COVID-19 vaccines through COVAX mechanism

TEGUCIGALPA, M.D.C., Honduras, 13 March 2021 - The first COVID-19 vaccine doses arrived today in Honduras through the COVAX mechanism, a global effort between the Coalition for Promotion of Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (GAVI), the World Health Organization (WHO) with collaboration of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), to ensure equitable distribution of vaccines worldwide.

This first batch, consisting of 48 thousand doses, is part of several deliveries that the country will receive through COVAX. According to PAHO/WHO Representative in Honduras, Piedad Huerta, these doses are part of the 424,800 assigned to be received between March and May. COVAX's objective is to supply vaccines to cover at least 20 per cent of the Honduran population.

Reception of this first delivery, arriving by air to the Hernan Acosta Mejia base in the capital, was led by government authorities, with accompaniment of the United Nations Resident Coordinator in Honduras, Representatives of PAHO/WHO and UNICEF and ambassadors of countries financing the COVAX mechanism.

“We are very happy that the vaccine has arrived in Honduras. The most important thing now is that there is hope and there is confidence in the multilateral system, and it will give us plenty of opportunity to ensure that protection against COVID is stronger than ever,” said Mark Connolly, UNICEF Representative in Honduras. “For the Honduran people, for Honduran children, we have achieved something important with the arrival of the vaccines."

UNICEF is supporting the government in communication strategy, social media, distribution, promotion, advocacy for vaccine investment and advocacy in a transparent process.

Nationwide vaccination will be implemented in different phases, starting with frontline staff. The vaccination target population is estimated at 5,717,985 Hondurans, distributed by prioritized groups.

The country has already secured the vaccine for the Honduran population through the following mechanisms:

• COVAX-Gavi 2021 (donation): 1,981,000
• National Purchases: 1,981,000
• Programmed population to be vaccinated by IHSS: 700,000