Gavi [to 7 November 2015]
http://www.gavialliance.org/library/news/press-releases/

.
Afghanistan ensures safe passage of life-saving vaccines
02 November 2015
Afghan health ministry shows commitment to immunisation by opening critical storage facility at central airport
Kabul, Afghanistan, 27 October 2015 – As humanitarian organisations responded to Afghanistan’s earthquake this week, the Government underlined its commitment to ensuring no interruptions in the flow of life-saving vaccines by inaugurating a special storage facility at Kabul airport.

The new facility, which guarantees safekeeping of vaccines before they are transported to a network of immunisation centres, represents a critical step in the Health Ministry’s plans to strengthen cold chain management across Afghanistan.

Kabul airport represents the main point of entry for the 10 types of vaccines that Afghanistan purchases overseas, but new consignments are often held up – either because of customs clearance or security issues at their final destination.

Equipped with standard cold equipment to keep vaccines at the right temperature and a back-up generator in case of power shortages, the new storage facility ensures a two-three month supply of routine vaccines can remain in transit at the airport at any one time.

“This is a crucial first step for ensuring quality of vaccines once the vaccine shipments arrive in the country,” said Afghan Health Minister, Dr. Ferozudin Feroz, speaking at the facility’s inauguration…