Reports from XUNICEF Focal Points Regarding UN Provision of COVID Vaccines for Staff, Dependents and Retirees
We wrote to the XUNICEF focal points to learn the situation in their countries. It seems that there is still a fair amount of confusion about availability through the UN. We hope therefore that our XUNICEF national teams in countries where supplies are limited, will press their case with their respective UN and UNICEF offices.
Here are the responses from our focal points so far. See the UN announcement at the bottom of this page.
Ethiopia - Misrak Elias
n Ethiopia, AFICS had registered UN retirees for vaccine. But as the UN vaccine came late many retirees got their first dose of the vaccine through the government health centers. Offer was for 65+.
The UN then procured vaccine for staff (I Understand essential staff for now) through Unicef. The facility was extended to retirees who registered. So some of us got our second dose through the UN.
But when you consider the needs of the country as a whole what was available was just a drop. None is available currently.
UK - David Bull
Vaccination is now available to anyone in the UK over the age of 18 free of charge via the National Health Service, regardless of immigration status. I am confident that any UN employee or retiree or family resident in the UK can get vaccinated without any difficulty and at no cost as is the case for any other UK resident.
Japan - Yoshi Uramoto
Likewise in Japan though started late the rate of vaccine coverage is increasing rapidly. I don’t believe there is or should be a special programme for UN retirees or staff.
Finland - Pirkko Heinonen
In Finland all citizens over 16 years receive COVID-19 vaccine organized by government, free of charge. As of now, over 50% received first dose and second dose is now offered for people around 70 years, depending a bit on area of residence. No other sources of vaccine available and personally I would say, not needed either, system works as you would expect from a Nordic country.
Italy - Gianni Murzi
In Italy, UN retirees have access to the National Covid19 vaccination program including retirees enrolled in the Italian health system and those who are not.
Distinti saluti
Zimbabwe - Susan Muza
For Zimbabwe, the XUNICEF retirees were encouraged to access vaccines from the national programme as soon as these were availlable, given that 60+ were second priority after frontline workers. We also stayed in touch with UNICEF office regarding availability of vaccines, however the national programme rolled out earlier and by the time UNICEF reached out, the majoriy of retirees had alreayd received their 1st or 2nd doses of the vaccine; and the UN had still not received their vaccine consignment.
Recently retirees received an invitation via an email from UNJSPF to register for the UN global staff and retirees vaccines, that are now available at the local UN Clinics. Although all retirees had already received their 2 vaccine doses, they were encouraged to register their details for the future, given the uncertainity with Covid variants.
I hope many will now receive their vaccines through the UN programme.
Forming an XUN retirees network is still on the cards in Zimbabwe, as this was disrupted by the pandemic.
I will however reach out to the other UN retirees I know, and check if they have now been vaccinated through the national program, which I would expect.
For Zimbabwe, the XUNICEF retirees were encouraged to access vaccines from the national programme as soon as these were availlable, given that 60+ were second priority after frontline workers. We also stayed in touch with UNICEF office regarding availability of vaccines, however the national programme rolled out earlier and by the time UNICEF reached out, the majoriy of retirees had alreayd received their 1st or 2nd doses of the vaccine; and the UN had still not received their vaccine consignment.
Recently retirees received an invitation via an email from UNJSPF to register for the UN global staff and retirees vaccines, that are now available at the local UN Clinics. Although all retirees had already received their 2 vaccine doses, they were encouraged to register their details for the future, given the uncertainity with Covid variants.
I hope many will now receive their vaccines through the UN programme.
Forming an XUN retirees network is still on the cards in Zimbabwe, as this was disrupted by the pandemic.
I will however reach out to the other UN retirees I know, and check if they have now been vaccinated through the national program, which I would expect.
Ethiopia - Misrak Elias
n Ethiopia, AFICS had registered UN retirees for vaccine. But as the UN vaccine came late many retirees got their first dose of the vaccine through the government health centers. Offer was for 65+.
The UN then procured vaccine for staff (I Understand essential staff for now) through Unicef. The facility was extended to retirees who registered. So some of us got our second dose through the UN.
But when you consider the needs of the country as a whole what was available was just a drop. None is available currently.
Unicef retirees are all aware, I think those interested have made use of the facilities. The head of AFICS is a Unicef retiree. AFICS has registered retirees and UNJSPF has sent the information to retirees.
Thanks and regards
Mali - Mariam Coulibaly Ndiaye
In Bamako ( not in the entire country), vaccination were organized at the WHO office for retirees. I trust only those who were reached by mail by the association of former UN staff went to be vaccinated. Otherwise in all local reference health centers, vaccines were made available for all. But large promotion of population remain reluctant to get vaccinated.
Mariam
Nepal - Bijaya Rajbhandari
The UN, initially, asked for the registration of the retirees which was completed now. It went efficiently and all UNICEF retirees got their either the first dose or Second dose( As same vaccination was provided by the Govt) to 65+ senior citizens.
Yesterday, UN asked for the registration of the spouses or dependents (one person only) of the retirees. This is a welcome move as retirees have been requesting for their spouses to be vaccinated
Thanks to RUNSUN, a UN retiree organisation in Nepal, who facilitated for the registration of those had difficulty registering
India - Sree Gururaja
Ramadass - on behalf of UPGI reports that:
1) initially, even current Unicef staff had little access until they got together with other UN staff based in Delhi- at the World Bank , a private hospital provided the vaccination for staff members and their spouses for ₹1200 per dose.
2) apparently when approached unicef was not able to procure the vaccines from ministry of health
3) the Vice Chair of GSA is a staff member in Unicef Delhi and involved
4) according to Ramadass, he thinks 95-98% of retirees would be vaccinated as they qualify as priority target group.
5) however, he will check with his unicef contact on this for clarification if there is any demand.
Overall in India, the vaccination in urban areas has been operational since March this year for the 55+ population and government has released vaccines for second doses both in public and private medical centres. As yu know, in India the private hospitals will provide services for a price! - also Cigna covers this.
Bangladesh - A.K. Masood Ahmed
With reference to my email of 20 June 2021 I would like to inform you that as per schedule AFUNSOB had a Zoom meeting with WFP coordination today regarding the vaccination of UN Retirees in Bangladesh. WFP has been assigned by the UNRC to look after the issue. We were informed that they have received a communication from UNJSPF in which it is mentioned that 67 Retirees in BD could not be reached via email and/or they do not have email connection; therefore, they need to be contacted and vaccinated if not already received so. AFUNSOB is going to help WFP in identifying those 67 Retirees.
I would like to mention here that Alpha, WFP Deputy Director who is the Focal Point for this activity, could not yet say when the vaccines will arrive in Bangladesh through the UN system.
Alpha asked all Retirees to do the Registration online as asked by the Pension Fund. AFUNSOB is trying to help the Retirees to do the registration. This is for everybody whether they have received the vaccination or not. Those who do not have email have been requested to meet the Deputy Director of WFP. Another point he mentioned is, only Pensioners will receive vaccines and not his/her spouse or any other family member.
I have also contacted the UNICEF BCO Focal point on the issue and the staff Chair of UBSA, they could not give me any information, neither they have any idea whether UNICEF or any other UN agency is going to arrange to procure vaccines for UN staff and Retirees.
I have a feeling since there is a national programme by the GOB to cover all the citizens of the country that's why the UN is little behind in procuring vaccines. However, as you may know the present situation, Govt. is struggling in procuring vaccines and it is going to be time consuming.
Good news is as mentioned in my last email many of the retirees and their spouses have already got 2 doses through our national programme.
Will keep you informed of the latest developments as necessary.
Thanks and regards
Mali - Mariam Coulibaly Ndiaye
In Bamako ( not in the entire country), vaccination were organized at the WHO office for retirees. I trust only those who were reached by mail by the association of former UN staff went to be vaccinated. Otherwise in all local reference health centers, vaccines were made available for all. But large promotion of population remain reluctant to get vaccinated.
Mariam
Nepal - Bijaya Rajbhandari
The UN, initially, asked for the registration of the retirees which was completed now. It went efficiently and all UNICEF retirees got their either the first dose or Second dose( As same vaccination was provided by the Govt) to 65+ senior citizens.
Yesterday, UN asked for the registration of the spouses or dependents (one person only) of the retirees. This is a welcome move as retirees have been requesting for their spouses to be vaccinated
Thanks to RUNSUN, a UN retiree organisation in Nepal, who facilitated for the registration of those had difficulty registering
India - Sree Gururaja
Ramadass - on behalf of UPGI reports that:
1) initially, even current Unicef staff had little access until they got together with other UN staff based in Delhi- at the World Bank , a private hospital provided the vaccination for staff members and their spouses for ₹1200 per dose.
2) apparently when approached unicef was not able to procure the vaccines from ministry of health
3) the Vice Chair of GSA is a staff member in Unicef Delhi and involved
4) according to Ramadass, he thinks 95-98% of retirees would be vaccinated as they qualify as priority target group.
5) however, he will check with his unicef contact on this for clarification if there is any demand.
Overall in India, the vaccination in urban areas has been operational since March this year for the 55+ population and government has released vaccines for second doses both in public and private medical centres. As yu know, in India the private hospitals will provide services for a price! - also Cigna covers this.
Bangladesh - A.K. Masood Ahmed
I would like to mention here that Alpha, WFP Deputy Director who is the Focal Point for this activity, could not yet say when the vaccines will arrive in Bangladesh through the UN system.
Alpha asked all Retirees to do the Registration online as asked by the Pension Fund. AFUNSOB is trying to help the Retirees to do the registration. This is for everybody whether they have received the vaccination or not. Those who do not have email have been requested to meet the Deputy Director of WFP. Another point he mentioned is, only Pensioners will receive vaccines and not his/her spouse or any other family member.
I have also contacted the UNICEF BCO Focal point on the issue and the staff Chair of UBSA, they could not give me any information, neither they have any idea whether UNICEF or any other UN agency is going to arrange to procure vaccines for UN staff and Retirees.
I have a feeling since there is a national programme by the GOB to cover all the citizens of the country that's why the UN is little behind in procuring vaccines. However, as you may know the present situation, Govt. is struggling in procuring vaccines and it is going to be time consuming.
Good news is as mentioned in my last email many of the retirees and their spouses have already got 2 doses through our national programme.
Will keep you informed of the latest developments as necessary.
UK - David Bull
Vaccination is now available to anyone in the UK over the age of 18 free of charge via the National Health Service, regardless of immigration status. I am confident that any UN employee or retiree or family resident in the UK can get vaccinated without any difficulty and at no cost as is the case for any other UK resident.
Japan - Yoshi Uramoto
Likewise in Japan though started late the rate of vaccine coverage is increasing rapidly. I don’t believe there is or should be a special programme for UN retirees or staff.
Finland - Pirkko Heinonen
In Finland all citizens over 16 years receive COVID-19 vaccine organized by government, free of charge. As of now, over 50% received first dose and second dose is now offered for people around 70 years, depending a bit on area of residence. No other sources of vaccine available and personally I would say, not needed either, system works as you would expect from a Nordic country.
In Italy, UN retirees have access to the National Covid19 vaccination program including retirees enrolled in the Italian health system and those who are not.
Distinti saluti
The Situation in Nigeria is that of vaccine apparthy, The National Government provided vaccines for seniors and other high risk population for free and the UN also asked the Retirees to Register to receive the vaccines if they so prefer. Unfortunately, when I checked with the UNICEF office in Lagos, No Retiree from Lagos registered for the UN option. I assume they got from Government or they are still not sure they are ready to receive the vaccines.
I will check with Abuja and Other Field Office Locations if their are any difference.
Thank you
Olusoji Adeniyi
Nigeria Focal Point
If in fact vaccines are available, please let members of your respective XUNICEF members know asap. Even if not available, please urge that everyone register as shown in the attachments (note that links to some forms seem to lead to UN internal websites, so you may need to get the forms from the UN Security Office in your country.
Please let us know what you find about the situation in your country
See also:
https://www.un.org/en/coronavirus/vaccination#retirees
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