UNICEF supports Government of Uzbekistan to maintain routine immunization during COVID-19 pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic underscores the pivotal role of immunizations in protecting lives and economies. In the current situation national routine immunization programmes are more critical than ever before. This essential health service protects susceptible individuals across all age-groups from vaccine-preventable diseases and reduces the likelihood of an outbreak.

To ensure national immunization program is running during COVID-19 pandemic, UNICEF is working with international partners and the government to provide life-saving supplies including personal protective equipment for front line health workers.

With the financial support from Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunizations, UNICEF procured and delivered personal protective equipment to all 14 regions of the country. More than 25,000 boxes of medical gloves, 820,000 of disposable masks, 8,000 gowns and caps, 4000 liters of hand sanitizers and 130 kgs of disinfectant powder were handed over to the regional centers of sanitary and epidemiologic wellbeing.  This made possible to provide more than 4,000 health workers including 3,000 vaccinators at the primary health facilities with personal protective equipment. All these measures ensure provision of safe immunization services during COVID-19 pandemic.

“It is critical that routine immunization programmes continue during this crisis, while adequately protecting health workers and individuals receiving vaccinations,” said Mr. Sascha Graumann, Representative, UNICEF Uzbekistan.

“Preventing vaccine-preventable diseases outbreak not only saves lives but requires fewer resources than responding to the outbreak and helps reduce burden on a health system already strained by the COVID-19 pandemic,” he added.

National immunization program in Uzbekistan has been running during COVID-19 pandemic, which  keeps immunization coverage rate above 90%.

As immunization services continue, attention to infection prevention and control measures to avoid transmission of the COVID-19 virus during the delivery of immunization services is essential.

UNICEF will continue to support Government of Uzbekistan in strengthening the national immunization programme. These efforts include awareness raising of population on safety measures during COVID-19 pandemic, supporting health workers by provision of necessary preventive equipment, facilitating the timely delivery of vaccine to Uzbekistan, and safely storage of vaccine.