EU, through WHO, supports Jordan’s National Immunisation Programme

AMMAN — To support the Ministry of Health’s transportation and delivery of routine and COVID-19 vaccines through mobile immunisation centres, the World Health Organisation (WHO) in Jordan through the European Union’s Regional Trust Fund in Response to the Syrian Crisis, the Madad Fund, provided two refrigerated vehicles and 15 pickups to the National Immunisation Programme. 

Additionally, 200,000 rapid diagnostic tests for the fast detection of COVID-19 infections and outbreaks at the health facility level were also provided, according to a WHO statement.

Health Minister Nathir Obeidat acknowledged the partnership with the European Union, through the efforts of WHO in Jordan to support the health sector particularly the response to COVID-19 pandemic.

The minister welcomed the generous logistical support provided by the European Union which included a number of fully equipped vehicles to facilitate the distribution of vaccines to target groups saving lots of efforts and time as well as  healthcare personnel , which strengthens the capacity of the Ministry of Health to respond effectively to COVID-19 pandemic.

Under the “Jordan Health Programme for Syrian Refugees and Vulnerable Jordanians”, the EU committed 43 million euros to support the Health Ministry’s efforts to strengthen Jordan’s primary healthcare services, out of which around 14 million euros aims specifically at boosting national COVID-19 Preparedness and Response Plan.

EU Ambassador to Jordan Maria Hadjitheodosiou said: “In these difficult circumstances, solidarity is key to beating COVID-19. The EU has been supporting Jordan since the onset of the pandemic, and today, following the rollout of the vaccines, we continue our support to the Ministry of Health’s efforts to overcome the constraints in vaccine distribution by providing the necessary equipment to ensure they are delivered safely across the Kingdom, particularly to the most vulnerable.” 

Maria Cristina Profili, WHO representative to Jordan said: “We are supporting the Health Ministry’s efforts to improve the infrastructure for vaccines’ delivery and use for the most vulnerable populations. This support will also enable delivery of COVID-19 vaccines with hope to halt the COVID-19 pandemic.”

The Health Programme supports the National Immunisation Programme by providing routine vaccines, tablets to record vaccine administration information, cold chain equipment, as well as vehicles for the Ministry of Health’s vaccination teams to help them extend the services to the most vulnerable populations.