In a major step toward enhancing global health resilience, the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi (DoH) has officially launched operations at the region’s vaccine distribution hub, strategically located in KEZAD and operated by Rafed, a subsidiary of PureHealth.

Developed in collaboration with global partners including GSK, ADIO, Etihad Cargo, AD Ports Group, and KEZAD Group, this state-of-the-art facility is designed to strengthen vaccine access across the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia. It will handle over 20 vaccines, supporting both paediatric and adult immunization efforts, and is fully equipped to accommodate emerging technologies and rising demand.

The hub’s activation marks a key milestone under HELM – Abu Dhabi’s Life Science Cluster – and realizes a 2024 agreement between DoH and GSK to establish regional vaccine distribution from Abu Dhabi. This is GSK’s first such hub in the Middle East and only its fourth worldwide.

H.E. Dr. Noura Khamis Al Ghaithi, Undersecretary of DoH, noted:
“This hub is more than just a logistics achievement—it reflects our commitment to innovation, resilience, and timely public health impact across borders.”

The facility leverages Abu Dhabi’s robust cold-chain infrastructure and Etihad Cargo’s PharmaLife network to ensure real-time, temperature-controlled delivery to over 100 destinations globally.

Rafed CEO Mohammad Mustafa Saeed emphasized the facility’s role in enabling end-to-end visibility and strengthening health systems across regions, while GSK Gulf’s VP Boyd Chongphaisal highlighted the hub’s alignment with Abu Dhabi’s vision for a future-focused life sciences ecosystem.

The hub is expected to distribute millions of vaccine doses annually, dramatically reducing delivery timelines and boosting regional preparedness for public health challenges.