Armenia boosts its vaccine cold chain safety with the European Union and World Health Organization support

The European Union (EU) and World Health Organization (WHO) donated today a brand-new refrigerated truck to the National Center of the Disease Control (NCDC) under the Ministry of Health (MoH) of the Republic of Armenia as part of ongoing support to the national response to COVID-19 pandemic. The refrigerated truck is yet another contribution in ensuring proper cold storage equipment and transportation of vaccines all over Armenia.  

"The EU continues to join the targeted efforts to strengthen the health systems worldwide and overcome COVID-19. Thanks to the developments in science, vaccines are one of the most efficient ways to that end, and we need to ensure that they remain safe and efficient for people. Thus, the refrigerated truck is another contribution to ensuring proper cold storage equipment and transportation of vaccines all over Armenia. We are happy to cooperate with WHO and the Government of Armenia to help people stay healthy and resilient to the virus," said Andrea Wiktorin, the Ambassador, Head of the Delegation of the European Union to Armenia. 

The refrigerated truck tops up already contributed 30 medical refrigerators and 4 high temperature freezers provided to ensure that vaccines remain safe and efficient all along from national vaccine warehouses to regional centers and health-care facilities. The refrigerated truck has 9 cubic meters of cargo capacity. It has refrigeration capacity modified and installed in accordance with WHO requirements. The truck is equipped with an independent electrical support and a diesel generator to ensure the vaccine safety and efficiency 24 hours 7 days a week including in case of emergencies and lack of electricity.

"Recently, there has been a steady increase in pandemic numbers around the world. Our statistical data is also worrying. As before the start of the vaccination process, we are confident nowadays that vaccination is effective in the response to pandemic. However, in addition to the availability of the vaccines, appropriate storage conditions should be ensured for the vaccines distributed to regional polyclinics or outpatient clinics. This refrigerated truck donated by our partners will allow the vaccine distribution to be carried out under safer and more efficient conditions," said Lena Nanushyan, First Deputy Minister of Health.

"Thanks to the EU partnership and funding and an exemplary teamwork with the NCDC and the MOH, WHO is enabled to channel its technical and logistic support successfully in Armenia to face the COVID-19 pandemic.  Vaccination remains one of the most cost-effective and proven foundations for healthier, longer life and functioning public health systems. It is essential to ensure that vaccines remain safe and efficient all the way throughout the country. Nowadays COVID-19 is still spreading and taking lives, being vaccinated is vital. This way you protect yourself from severe disease and help protect those, who you care about – your family and friends, your neighbors and community at large," noted Jihane Tawilah, WHO Representative to Armenia.  

The donation is part of a larger support package, implemented by WHO with the financial support of the ‘European Union–WHO/Europe Action for deployment of COVID-19 vaccines and vaccination project’, a critical assistance to ensure safe and effective vaccination against COVID-19 in six Eastern Partnership countries including Armenia.