Ted Chaiban, Global Lead Coordinator for UNICEF’s Covid-19 Vaccine Delivery Partnership (CoVDP), joins Katherine to discuss the state of Covid-19 vaccine coverage across the world; why some countries continue to struggle with low coverage, even as vaccine supplies have improved; and what steps need to be taken to ensure vaccines reach the most vulnerable. Out of the 34 countries that in January 2022 had Covid-19 vaccination coverage of below 10%, 23 have now surpassed 10% and 8 now have coverage above 20%. But while there has been impressive progress, continuing to support countries’ efforts to deliver the shots remains vital. How does CoVDP support in country Covid-19 vaccination programs and tailor approaches to their specific needs? What strategies work best to reach populations living in conflict-affected areas? And how can reaching people with Covid-19 vaccines help provide them with access to a broader suite of health and social services, as well?
Ted Chaiban is the Global Lead Coordinator for COVID-19 Vaccine Delivery at UNICEF’s COVID-19 Vaccine Delivery Partnership. Most recently he served as the Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa at UNICEF.