Amman:The Ministry of Health has announced the opening of two new vaccine cold rooms (VCR), enhancing its storage capacity by 70 cubic meters. This development is in collaboration with UNICEF and funded by South Korea, as stated in a ministry release. The facilities are situated at the ministry's Sera and Vaccines Section within the Communicable Diseases Directorate.
According to Jordan News Agency, the opening ceremony featured several dignitaries, including Riyad Shayyab, Secretary-General for Primary Health Care and Epidemiology, representing the health minister; Korean Ambassador Kim Pil-woo; and UNICEF Representative to Jordan, Marc Rubin.
The increased storage capacity is expected to bolster the National Immunization Program by ensuring the quality and effectiveness of vaccines during receipt, storage, and distribution throughout Jordan. Shayyab emphasized the importance of expanding storage capacity and enhancing preservation and quality monitoring systems to maintain immunization services and provide access to safe and effective vaccines.
Rubin stressed the importance of sustaining progress in childhood immunization and reaching children who have yet to receive vaccinations. He noted that stronger vaccine storage capacity would facilitate safe and equitable immunization services, particularly for the most vulnerable children. Rubin also praised South Korea's support and partnership with the Ministry of Health, highlighting the tangible benefits for children's health across the Kingdom.
Ambassador Kim highlighted that the new facilities are part of Korea's global partnership with UNICEF under the Access to COVID-19 Tools Accelerator (ACT-A). Kim announced Korea's contribution of $70 million to UNICEF's initiatives in 35 countries, including Jordan, aimed at sharing knowledge and experience from Korea's COVID-19 response.