The actual start of the regional center for vaccine distribution in Abu Dhabi

The Department of Health – Abu Dhabi, the organizational authority for the health care sector in the emirate, announced the start of the actual operation of the regional center for vaccine distribution in Abu Dhabi, after the arrival of the first shipments to the new facility in Abu Dhabi. This achievement represents a strategic step in the emirate’s march towards consolidating its position as a pivotal center in health supply chains and promoting regional and global health security.

The center is located in the Kizad region and is operated by the company “Rafid”, which is affiliated with the “Burihath” group, and it was developed in partnership with the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi, the Abu Dhabi Investment Office, GSK Global Company, Abu Dhabi Ports Group, Al Ittihad Shipping, and the Kaizad Group. This center is a basic pillar within the growing life system in the emirate, where it aims to improve access to The vaccines in the region, by taking advantage of the strategic geographical location of Abu Dhabi, and its advanced infrastructure in the field of cooling chains, as well as a flexible and stimulating organizational environment for innovation.

The launch of the center’s operational operations came as a culmination of a strategic agreement signed between the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi and GSK during the Abu Dhabi International Health Care Week 2024, to establish a regional distribution center in the emirate. With this, Abu Dhabi becomes the headquarters of the center of vaccine distribution of GSK in the Middle East, and the fourth globally, which reflects the growing global confidence in the emirate’s capabilities to support health security and vital supply chains.

This achievement also represents one of the first major operating stations within the “Helm” framework, the Abu Dhabi Life Sciences Complex, which was officially launched in April 2025 during the Abu Dhabi International Health Week. “Helm” is a strategic platform aimed at attracting investments in life sciences and enhancing partnerships between the public and private sectors and academic circles, which supports Abu Dhabi’s vision to be a leading global partner in the fields of careful medicine, pharmaceutical industry, and vital products.

Dr. Noura Khamis Al -Ghaithi, Undersecretary of the Health Department – Abu Dhabi said: “The actual operation of the regional vaccine distribution center in Abu Dhabi represents a turning point in our march towards building a comprehensive proactive health model, through which we contribute to strengthening the region’s readiness to respond with efficiency and flexibility, and accelerate access to healthy solutions that make a tangible difference in people’s lives, strengthening Abu Dhabi’s position as a reliable global center For innovation in life sciences. ”

The center will manage a portfolio that includes more than 20 vaccines, including children and adults, which contributes to supporting fortification plans and long health life in the region. It is also characterized by a flexible design that allows future expansion to accommodate new vaccine technologies and meet the increasing demand, while maintaining the highest international standards in quality and safety.

For his part, Boyd Chongfisal, Vice President and Director General of GSK Gulf said: “The launch of our regional center in Abu Dhabi is the fruit of a strategic partnership based on joint commitment to health security and innovation and expanding the scope of access. Through our close cooperation with the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi and our local partners, we are working to combine scientific distinction and operational ability to connect vaccines effectively and in time to the appropriate time to The targeted societies. The merging of this center under the umbrella of the Helm program enhances the pioneering position of GSK and its compatibility with Abu Dhabi’s vision to achieve influential results in the life sciences sector at the regional and global levels.

The center is occupied through advanced systems of cooling chains and smart distribution, which ensures the preservation of vaccine quality and accurately tracking them along the supply chain. The center is also linked to the Federation of Federation of shipping, which covers more than 100 global destinations and provides accurate shipping services for pharmaceutical products subject to special temperatures.

“As one of the Burhailth company, Rafid is committed to achieving excellence in health care by providing the best logistics services to provide the drug in line with international standards. The launch of the regional vaccine distribution center is a concrete embodiment of our strategy aimed at enhancing health systems, facilitating access and expanding their scope, and building the capabilities necessary to cooperate across the borders. During the adoption of advanced technologies in the cooling chains and smart distribution, we provide a comprehensive and immediate vision along the supply chain.

In turn, Stanislas Bran, CEO of Al -Ittihad Airways shipping department, pointed out that: “Our participation in this strategic project reflects our continuous commitment to developing pharmaceutical charging capabilities in the region.

The center is expected to distribute millions of doses annually, while reducing the delivery periods and improving the reliability of the supply chain across the region.

This achievement is a qualitative addition to the Integrated Value Series and enhances Abu Dhabi’s position as a global center for innovation in life sciences. It also reflects the readiness of the health infrastructure in the emirate to provide practical solutions that directly affect the efficiency of access to vaccines and achieve preventive health goals globally.