On October 10, the Government of Turkmenistan and UNICEF signed a new Agreement on the Procurement of Vaccines and Immunization Products for 2026-2028.

The signing ceremony took place in the building of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry on the Day of Healthcare Workers and the Medical Industry of the country.

As Jalpa Ratna, UNICEF Representative in Turkmenistan, noted:

"This agreement reaffirms the long-term partnership between UNICEF and the Government of Turkmenistan to protect every child. It also reflects the country's commitment to investing in a sustainable national health system that will continue to provide services to children, families, and communities."

For over three decades, the Government of Turkmenistan has implemented an effective and sustainable national immunization program, ensuring free and equal access to life-saving vaccines. Since joining the Vaccine Independence Initiative in 1994 and achieving full self-financing of vaccine procurement through UNICEF by 2006, the country has ensured a reliable supply of WHO-prequalified vaccines and safe injection equipment, guaranteeing quality and continuity of supply even during global challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic.

Turkmenistan continues to strengthen its immunization program, regularly expanding the national vaccination schedule in line with international health recommendations. The recent approval of an updated vaccination schedule for 2025, which includes a hexavalent vaccine, marks another important step toward protecting the health and well-being of every child.

Today, the country serves as a regional model for sustainable vaccination financing, with annual procurement volumes exceeding 17 million USD, demonstrating the Government's long-term commitment to protecting its people, especially the younger generation, according to a UNICEF press release.