ADB provides $20.3M for vaccine distribution

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has a technical assistance fund of $20.3 million to help its developing member countries organize the distribution of COVID-19 vaccines.

The funds will support health system assessments and the creation of country readiness plans for safe and effective vaccine access.

The technical assistance will bolster critical areas such as vaccine cold chain and logistics, infection control, health worker capacity, risk communications, and real-time data monitoring.

ADB will also support the identification and promotion of innovative technologies for cold chain management and vaccine tracking.

ADB's Director General for Sustainable Development and Climate Change Department, Woochong Um, emphasized the importance of ensuring access to safe, effective, and equitable vaccines.

The technical assistance will be jointly implemented with partners including UNICEF, the World Health Organization, the World Bank, and COVAX.

The Philippine government plans to tap the ADB and World Bank for technical and financial support for its free vaccination program targeted for 20 million people next year.