AKIPRESS.COM - The Government of Japan has today donated a consignment of over 200,000 doses of AstraZeneca vaccines to Uzbekistan in cooperation with UNICEF through the COVAX Facility.

“Japan has continuously supported Uzbekistan’s efforts for the fight against COVID-19, including provision of cutting-edge medical equipment, PPE as well as assistance to the socio-economically vulnerable people,” said H.E. Mr. Yoshinori Fujiyama, Ambassador of Japan to Uzbekistan. “So far, we have provided in total more than 10 million USD worth of support to tackle COVID-19 in Uzbekistan. I am very happy to announce today that Japan now joins the group of countries which provide valuable vaccines specifically for the people of Uzbekistan.” He also expressed the hope that the donation will contribute to the healthier lives of people in Uzbekistan as well as to deepen the friendship between the two counties when they celebrate the 30th anniversary of their diplomatic relations.

The donation from the Government of Japan is under the global vaccine donation and dose sharing facility. These doses will go a long way in mitigating the current supply gap and importantly protect against new variants and expand vaccination to other target groups.

With this shipment, the total number of COVID-19 vaccines Uzbekistan has received, reached 61 million doses. In addition to this, UNICEF procured and delivered ancillaries for safe vaccination such as syringes, safety boxes, and personal protective equipment.

Under the COVAX facility, UNICEF has planned to deliver another 24.6 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines by mid-year in 2022.

“As vaccination gathers momentum in Uzbekistan and variants emerge, such donations become critical, timely and life-saving for the people of Uzbekistan,” said Geoffrey Ijumba, UNICEF Deputy Representative in Uzbekistan. “Huge thanks to the Government of Japan in their show of continued unity with the people of Uzbekistan.”

In Uzbekistan, UNICEF has supported the Government of Uzbekistan with development of national COVID-19 vaccine deployment and vaccination plan, as well as risk communication and public communication around demand generation for the COVID-19 vaccines.

Globally, UNICEF is steering supplies under COVAX and the supplied vaccines in Uzbekistan contributes to Uzbekistan’s efforts to vaccinate those at high risk of exposure and those who are most vulnerable to developing severe illness from COVID-19.