“Delivery of these life-saving vaccines is a monumental and complex undertaking, considering the sheer volumes that need to be transported, the cold chain requirements, the number of expected deliveries and the diversity of routes” said Etleva Kadilli, Director of UNICEF Supply Division. “We are grateful to these airlines for joining forces with the UNICEF Humanitarian Airfreight Initiative to support the roll-out of COVID-19 vaccines.”

The UNICEF Humanitarian Airfreight Initiative brings together the airlines covering routes to over 100 countries, in support of the COVAX Facility – the global effort aimed at equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines. Based on the COVAX Facility’s indicative distribution and first round allocation plan, 145 countries will receive doses to immunize around three per cent of their population, on average, starting in the first half of 2021, subject to all requirements being met and final allocation plans.

Yulia Celetaria, Healthcare Director of Volga-Dnepr Group, highlights: “We are proud to be among the top leading airlines to support UNICEF efforts in distributing COVID-19 vaccines which will help us to reach herd immunity and bring us one step closer to post-covid normality. With our preparedness, experience, fleet capabilities and strong healthcare team we will be able to leverage volumes of this sophisticated pharma product. Apart from COVID-19 vaccines, we keep supporting ongoing UNICEF healthcare programmes to guarantee availability of vital medicines and vaccines from other diseases”.