Serbia has received a new shipment of COVID-19 vaccines procured through the COVAX Facility. The third delivery of 115,200 doses of the AstraZeneca vaccines has arrived at Belgrade’s Nikola Tesla Airport this morning. This is important as evidence shows that high vaccination rates are a key factor in the fight against COVID-19.
COVID-19 has exacerbated poverty, inequality and vulnerability experienced by many families and children, especially since many children could not continue with their education. These disruptions have the greatest impact on the most vulnerable children who are far less likely to have access to remote learning and more likely to be exposed to violence, abuse, neglect, child marriage and other risks.
Significantly, Serbia is one of the countries in which children were able to continue learning, despite challenges. However, like in many other countries, the lack of in-person classes has impacted students’ learning, health and well-being at critical developmental stages with repercussions for each child and their family.
UNICEF supports the vaccination of teachers and education professionals. Together with other prevention measures, it can minimize the risk of infection within school settings and can consequently influence the modality of schooling.
The Government of the Republic of Serbia has financed the procurement of these vaccines, while UNICEF, as a procurement agent in the COVAX Facility, has ensured that vaccines are procured, transported and delivered to Serbia. The Republic of Serbia has so far received 292,800 doses of AstraZeneca vaccines procured through the COVAX Facility.
The COVAX Facility is co-led by GAVI, the Vaccine Alliance, the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI).
The goal of the COVAX initiative is to provide nations with equitable and affordable access to safe and effective vaccines against COVID-19, regardless of their income level and UNICEF is supporting this process as a delivery agent.
Source: UNICEF, Photo: UNICEF Srbija/2021/Vaš