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COVAX: ensuring global equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines

At this historic juncture, UNICEF has all-hands-on deck to supply and deliver COVID-19 vaccines.

On Friday 26 February 2021, a shipment of COVAX COVID-19 vaccines arrive at the airport in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire.

The largest vaccine supply operation ever is underway – and UNICEF is leading it on behalf of COVAX.

We are working to ensure that all countries and territories participating in COVAX have equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines.

How?

Through COVAX – led by Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, WHO and CEPI – UNICEF is working with manufacturers and partners on the procurement of COVID-19 vaccine doses, as well as freight, logistics and storage. In collaboration with the PAHO Revolving Fund, we are leading the procurement and delivery for 92 low and middle-income countries while also supporting procurement for more than 97 upper middle-income and high-income nations. Together, these represent more than four-fifths of the world’s population.

UNICEF is also procuring and transporting immunization supplies such as syringes, safety boxes for their disposal, and cold chain equipment such as vaccine refrigerators and freezers.

When?

UNICEF has been organising the international transport of COVID-19 vaccines for COVAX since February 2021. COVAX is currently delivering vaccines to countries and territories around the world, with the aim of protecting frontline health care and social workers, as well as high-risk and vulnerable groups.

You can find out more about upcoming deliveries in the UNICEF Vaccine Market Dashboard.

Why UNICEF?

As the largest single vaccine buyer in the world, UNICEF has a unique and longstanding expertise in procurement and logistics to help children in need. UNICEF procures more than 2 billion doses of vaccines annually for routine immunization and outbreak response on behalf of nearly 100 countries. We are the main procurement partner of Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance and have helped reach more than 760 million children with life-saving vaccines over the last 20 years, preventing more than 13 million deaths.

In vaccinating health workers globally, we ensure that they can get back to work so that children and their mothers get the critical health care they need – vaccinations, treatment of malnutrition and other deadly diseases such as malaria and diarrhoea, as well as obstetric, prenatal and post-natal care along with services for newborns. These are critical services without which millions of children’s lives are at risk given widespread disruptions to essential services during lockdowns. We cannot let one disease lead to outbreaks of other diseases that could reverse years of progress in child health.