The First Shipment of Vaccines for Routine Immunization Arrives in Turkmenistan

The global COVID-19 pandemic affected the health care sector globally also through the challenges related to the delivery of supplies. While mitigating the risks of the pandemic, it is essential to keep protecting people from other existing diseases and to ensure the continuation of routine immunization to prevent outbreaks of infectious diseases among children. 

The Government of Turkmenistan has proactively ensured the continuation of the routine vaccination programme since the onset of the pandemic and significantly increased the funding for immunization under its five-year procurement plan for 2021-2025 with UNICEF. This procurement plan was signed last year and is a continuation of the partnership under the Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Health and Medical Industry of Turkmenistan and UNICEF for procurement services.

 “Immunization is a key element of primary health care and it’s also one of the best health investments money can buy. Vaccines are critical to the prevention and control of disease outbreaks and they support global health security.  As a result of considerable investments into immunization Turkmenistan has achieved universal coverage and it is important to continue sustaining this success during the time of global health crisis we face today”, says Christine Weigand, UNICEF Representative in Turkmenistan.

The Government of Turkmenistan and UNICEF will continue working together to protect critical immunization services during the COVID-19 pandemic, so that ground is not lost in the fight against vaccine-preventable diseases. In addition, UNICEF is also supporting the government of Turkmenistan together with WHO to develop a national rollout plan for COVID-19 vaccination and will support its implementation together with national and international partners.