UNICEF to transport around 2bn doses of COVID-19 vaccines in 2021

UNICEF is working with major global airlines and freight providers to step up efforts to deliver COVID-19 vaccines to over 92 countries around the world as soon as vaccines become available.

To kick-start preparations, UNICEF together with the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and the International Air Transport Association (IATA), briefed major global airlines last week on the expected capacity requirements and discussed ways to transport close to 2 billion doses of COVID-19 vaccines in 2021, according to a statement uploaded on the UNICEF website on Monday from New York.

   

This is in addition to the 1 billion syringes that need to be transported by sea-freight.

This virtual meeting comes close on the heels of the first-ever logistics event held virtually by UNICEF to discuss the transportation of COVID-19 vaccines.

The landmark discussion brought together more than 350 logistics partners, including air freight operators, shipping lines, and global logistics associations.

UNICEF is leading efforts to procure and deliver vaccines from manufacturers that have agreements with the COVAX Facility.

In collaboration with PAHO, UNICEF will coordinate the purchase and delivery for 92 low- and lower-middle-income economies as quickly and securely as possible.

These efforts build on UNICEF’s longstanding efforts with the logistics industry to transport supplies around the world despite restrictions related to the pandemic.