Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- The Ministry of Health, in close cooperation with the UNICEF office in Uzbekistan, is working to strengthen the immunization system in the country. In particular, today, within the framework of a joint program in this area, the UN Children’s Fund handed over 16 modern special vehicles for immunization to the Service for Sanitary and Epidemiological Welfare and Public Health.

The vehicles are intended for regional departments of the sanitary and epidemiological service and will be used to further improve the quality of monitoring the timely vaccination of children throughout the country. This was reported by the Public Relations Department of the Ministry of Health.

- Immunization is one of the key factors in the prevention of diseases among children. Currently, 13 vaccines are included in the national immunization schedule, and vaccination coverage is 99 percent. And our cooperation with UNICEF in this area is of great importance for the health of all children in our country, said Botirjon Kurbanov, deputy head of the sanitary-epidemiological well-being and public health service.

It was noted at the ceremony that the cars were purchased with the support of UNICEF and the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization to further improve the national vaccination program of Uzbekistan. UNICEF also helps the Ministry of Health build vaccine warehouses at the national, regional and district levels, procure and install cold rooms, freezers and refrigerators, and procure vehicles for transporting vaccines. In addition, a vaccine logistics management information system has been developed and the project is expected to significantly improve the national immunization system.

“I believe that these vehicles, together with other provided cold chain equipment, will make a significant contribution to improving the health of children throughout the country,” said Geoffrey Ijumba, Deputy Head of the UNICEF Office in Uzbekistan. “The timely distribution of vaccines for children has become an urgent task, and the support provided today and the transfer of cars to the regions is an important step towards ensuring the delivery of quality vaccines to all regions of the country.