Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- UNICEF today handed over a whopping 223 vehicles to the Government of Uzbekistan for vaccine safety, supply and delivery, a big boost, as the country prepares to roll out COVID 19 Vaccinations.

"Moving vaccines with strict temperature requirements is very delicate business. Sensors and other devices monitor conditions inside the fridge trucks and thermo containers record data to confirm that the temperature remains within a certain range," said Bakhodir Yusupaliev, Deputy Minister of Health, head of Sanitary and Epidemiological Welfare and Public Health Service.

The vehicles a huge investment for the health and well-being amount to more than USD 2 million, provided by the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization within the framework of the Health System Strengthening Programme to national immunization programme.

UNICEF has prioritized the equitable distribution of vaccines. Coming against the background of the COVID 19 pandemic and the race to deliver COVID19 vaccines (COVAX), equitable distribution of vaccines has become critical.

“We are pleased to extend our support as the country readies to the equitable rollout of the COVID-19 vaccination, leaving no one behind,” said Munir Mammadzade, Representative, UNICEF Uzbekistan. “I believe that this support, along with other cold chain equipment provided so far, is a step closer to achieve universal health coverage across the country.”

Over the last 3 years UNICEF with the support of partners has invested nearly $20 million continues to support the Ministry of Health to strengthen national vaccination and immunization program by construction of vaccine warehouses at national, regional and district level, procurement and installation of cold rooms, freezers and refrigerators and procurement of vehicles for transportation of vaccine and development vaccine logistic management information system.  It is expected that all these efforts will significantly improve national immunization system.