Cooperative Agreement on Immunization with United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF)

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The U.S. Congress provides funds to CDC for programmatic support and procurement of vaccines critical to the success of the global initiatives for polio eradication and measles mortality reduction. The purpose of the program is to support the US Government-endorsed Global Polio Eradication Initiative, Global Measles Initiative, and the Global Immunization Vision and Strategy (GIVS) of which UNICEF is a key partner. Other key partners include CDC, World Health Organization (WHO), the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), Rotary International, American Red Cross, and the UN Foundation. UNICEF, in conjunction with CDC, will provide programmatic assistance and vaccines for supplemental immunization activities (SIAs) in priority countries as well as strengthening of routine immunization delivery systems and capacities in developing countries to achieve globally agreed goals for disease eradication, elimination and reduction. Additionally this agreement may be used to support activities to address other global health priorities in line with CDC goals. Under this agreement, UNICEF will collaborate with CDC, World Health Organization (WHO), Rotary International, other partner agencies and national governments, for implementation of strategies to achieve the globally agreed goals of polio eradication, measles mortality reduction and elimination, and control of other vaccine preventable diseases (VPD), including identification and prioritization of country vaccine and programmatic assistance needs. Specific activities include allocation of funding for procurement of vaccines and to provide technical assistance in collaboration with CDC and WHO; utilization of UNICEF vaccine procurement and distribution systems to deliver vaccines that meet WHO or national quality specifications to priority countries for polio, measles, and other VPD control activities; and support planning and implementation for immunization activities in priority countries, with focus on vaccine supply and logistics, cold chain, communications and social mobilization, and training. The majority of funds through this cooperative agreement will be for vaccine procurement.

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