Al-Rabeeah: KSA Provided Strong Support to Empower Most Vulnerable Health Systems, Aims to Become a Center for Vaccine Production

Madrid, June 15, 2023, SPA -- Advisor at the Royal Court and Supervisor General of the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief), Dr. Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al-Rabeeah, said Saudi Arabia is among the leading countries in global efforts to ensure equal access to vaccines, noting that the Kingdom has provided strong support to the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (GAVI), COVAX and other coalition initiatives to empower the most vulnerable health systems in the world – including the OIC countries -- to immunize their populations.
Dr. Al-Rabeeah made his statement during his participation today in a high-level session entitled "Raising Generation Immunity,” as part of the "Global Vaccine Impact Conference" held in Madrid, Spain, June 13 to 15 June, in the presence of the Saudi Ambassador to Spain, Azzam bin Abdulkarim Al-Qain.
Dr. Al-Rabeeah indicated that the Kingdom’s response to the coronavirus pandemic has so far amounted to $863 million, included donating vaccines and epidemic supplies to more than 41 countries, and will continue to provide support and assistance to other countries to ensure the sustainability of their health systems during any future health emergencies, including pandemics. He said the Kingdom aspires for a future where everyone, especially children, enjoys equal access to vaccinations against serious diseases.
"We believe that the regional production of vaccines will greatly improve the ability of all countries to access urgent supplies, and Saudi Arabia is investing to become a center for vaccine production," Dr. Al-Rabeeah said. “The KSrelief, as the humanitarian arm of the Kingdom, seeks to plan the establishment of a logistics center to allow quick and easy access to vaccines and other humanitarian aid in times of need.”
Dr. Al Rabeeah appreciated the partnership with GAVI, looking forward to a future where a global system can be developed by alliances for vaccines and donor countries to meet the challenges caused by potential pandemics. He said he also looks forward to shouldering all efforts to protect the lives of the most vulnerable groups to survive and thrive, calling for learning from the lessons of the past to face the future.
--SPA