Syria receives its first delivery of COVID-19 vaccines through the COVAX Facility

• Spokespeople in country available for interview
• Photos and b-roll available here

22 April 2021 – “Syria received 256,800 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, the first COVAX delivery of vaccines to reach the war-torn country. This delivery of AstraZeneca vaccines (from the Serum Institute of India) will be given to frontline health workers across Syria, including the northeast and northwest.

“The delivery is a ray of light for the people of Syria. It will help health workers to continue delivering life-saving services in an already exhausted health system as a result of the decade-long war.

“The COVID-19 vaccines were delivered today through two shipments: 203,000 doses arrived in Damascus while another 53,800 doses were delivered to the northwest, an area that continues to witness armed conflict and people’s displacement. More deliveries are planned for Syria in the coming weeks and months.

“To date, Syria has recorded 51,580 cases of COVID-19. The actual number is likely to be much higher due to limited or unavailability of testing supplies. This makes the delivery of vaccines critical and timely. Much more support is needed to help Syria’s health workers wherever they are in the country and its most at-risk population including the elderly and those with underlying health conditions to get the vaccines against this virus.

“Vaccines are a critical preventive measure. They are however far from enough. Getting the vaccines does not guarantee full protection. This is why it is absolutely critical that we all continue to wash hands, wear masks and maintain social spacing to increase protection from the virus.

“While we will continue to work to deliver more vaccines across the region including to war-torn countries like Yemen and Syria, we call for vaccine equity. Wealthier countries should consider sharing extra doses with the COVAX facility, so we are able to reach more people, quicker and together. Let’s turn words into action. Now is the time for true solidarity and for sharing the collective burden of this pandemic.

“Since 3 March, the COVAX facility has delivered more than 5 million doses to the Middle East and North Africa. In addition to today’s delivery to Syria, the facility reached 18 countries in total including Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, the State of Palestine, Sudan and Yemen among other conflict-affected and fragile countries”.

“When we say, ‘we are not safe until everyone is safe’, we mean every word. UNICEF, WHO and Gavi are committed to continue working to deliver more vaccines to countries across the region so that we reach as many frontline workers and at-risk communities as possible with the COVID-19 vaccines. Meanwhile, we will continue to provide support in sharing credible information on preventive and health measures and deliver personal protective equipment and hygiene material to protect as many people as possible”.

Help UNICEF Give The World A Shot by donating at vaccinaid.org. The money raised will help UNICEF deliver 2 billion Covid-19 vaccines around the world in 2021, as well as tests and treatments, through the global COVAX facility. It is the biggest health operation in history, to ensure no one is left behind in the efforts to eradicate Covid-19 and its devastating impact.

ENDS

 Notes to editors:

COVAX is the vaccine facility of the Access to COVID-19 Tools Accelerator (ACT-A), a ground-breaking global collaboration to accelerate development, production, and equitable access to COVID-19 diagnostics, treatments, and vaccines.

COVAX is co-led by the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance (and the World Health Organization (WHO) – working in partnership with UNICEF as key implementing partner, as well as civil society organisations, vaccine manufacturers, the World Bank, and others.For more information, please contact:

Alexandra Murdoch, 0207 375 6179, [email protected]

Unicef UK Media Team, 0207 375 6030, [email protected]

 About UNICEF

UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. Across more than 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, to build a better world for everyone.

The UK Committee for UNICEF (UNICEF UK) raises funds for UNICEF’s emergency and development work for children. We also promote and protect children’s rights in the UK and internationally. We are a UK charity, entirely funded by supporters.

United Kingdom Committee for UNICEF (UNICEF UK), Registered Charity No. 1072612 (England & Wales), SC043677 (Scotland).

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