 reported, the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) delivered more than 4 million vaccines to North Korea.){kind=link}
As Radio Free Asia (RFA) reported, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) delivered more than 4 million vaccines to North Korea. This marks the first time aid from a UN agency has been transported by air since flights between North Korea and China resumed in August 2023.
UNICEF announced on the 18th through a press release that, “In collaboration with the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (GAVI) and the World Health Organization (WHO), it has provided essential vaccines to North Korea three times.” These vaccines are intended for 600,000 children and pregnant women without vaccinations since the COVID-19 pandemic began.
UNICEF utilized aircraft on the 15th, 16th, and 18th to deliver vaccines, including arranging a flight specifically for transporting vaccines when the regular Beijing-Pyongyang route was not operational on the 15th.
The vaccines delivered include 680,000 doses of Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccine, 309,500 doses of Hepatitis B vaccine, 1,339,000 doses of Measles-Rubella (MR) vaccine, 1,092,000 doses of Tetanus-Diphtheria (Td) vaccine, and 495,600 doses of Inactivated Poliovirus (IPV) vaccine for children.
UNICEF highlighted, “Especially babies born this year have never been vaccinated and are potentially exposed to serious infectious diseases. The remaining vaccines from the supplementary vaccination campaign will be allocated to reinstate the regular immunization program.” They had previously reported a concerning rise in the percentage of children in North Korea who have never received essential vaccinations.
Sam Muller, Gavi’s Head of Euro Asia-Pacific, emphasized to RFA, “The resumption of vaccine supply is a crucial step in rebuilding national immunization programs and maintaining achievements such as polio eradication and measles elimination while restoring vaccination rates to pre-pandemic levels. We look forward to enhancing dialogue with the North Korean government to expand support comprehensively.”
Amidst this support, attention is focused on whether North Korea’s importation of pharmaceuticals will fully resume. Roland Kupka, the interim representative of UNICEF’s Pyongyang office, urged the swift return of all UN and international organization staff to North Korea, stating, “The reopening of borders and the full return of UNICEF staff are crucial in 2024 to provide essential support and expand necessary programs.”
Reports indicate that North Korea’s health authorities plan to utilize most medicines for a nationwide supplementary vaccination campaign starting in September.