Topic: 2025 – Vaccine Access and Distribution
Country: Iran
Delegate Name: Jada Wynn
In an era where vaccine access should be available and distributed everywhere, unfortunately it is not possible. In an overview article presented by the U.S Centers for Disease Control and Prevention(CDC), in 2024, 14.3 million children under the age of 1 did not receive basic vaccines, and 1 and 5 children lack access to lifesaving vaccines. Many of these children who are lacking these vaccines are in low to middle income countries, such as Afghanistan, Angola, and Yemen. This is a situation where the solution to these problems are right there, but are guarded behind an expensive paywall that middle to lower income countries simply cannot afford. In the same CDC article, it is said that 4 million deaths worldwide are prevented by childhood vaccination, but unfortunately poorer countries don’t get that privilege, which needs to change.
The Islamic Republic of Iran acknowledges the problem of vaccine access and has already made a solution to the issue by creating the National Immunization Technical Advisory Group(NITAG). This program consists of undersecretary for health affairs(Ministry of Health), Director of the center for communicable disease control, Head of the immunization department, Technical experts from different specialties and Representatives of internal vaccine manufacturers (as ex-officio members with no voting right) who oversees and plays an important role in policy making for vaccines. Since the creation of the program, Iran has active universal immunization against the diseases such as tuberculosis, poliomyelitis, diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, hepatitis B, measles, mumps and rubella(According to “National Immunization Program in Iran Whys and why nots” from the National Library of Medicine). While the program has made many improvements for vaccine access, there are still some flaws. Unfortunately, NITAG does not provide vaccines for diseases such as rotavirus, haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib), varicella, pneumococcal and influenza. The reason for this is due to financial issues, Iran cannot fund the creation and distribution of these vaccines for the time being. Overall, the delegation of Iran is doing everything to give access to vaccines to Iranian citizens, but unfortunately there is a financial struggle behind the scenes.
To combat this financial struggle, Iran has made the decision to collaborate with non-profit organizations such as the United Nations Children’s Fund(UNICEF) to help distribute vaccines to Iran. With this partnership, 1.5 million children were able to receive life saving vaccines across the country(according to “Partner with Iran” from UNICEF). With this partnership, Iran was able to conquer financial struggle and work together with organizations to give children what they need.
When discussing the problems regarding vaccine access and distribution, Iran strongly suggests creating programs regarding the vaccine access and the policy making surrounding it. Creating a program with experienced individuals regarding vaccines and issues of accessing and distributing them will not only create a form of organization, but also will make quick strides for easier and proper access to vaccines for citizens in the near future.
In conclusion, the Islamic Republic of Iran is very open to discuss with other delegations about possible solutions to the topic at hand. Vaccine access is important for the health of everyone, especially when it comes to children. Iran hopes to find a proper solution to this issue soon and looks forward to potential partnerships with other delegations.
Works Cited
UNICEF Brings Life-Saving Vaccines to Iran, Reaching 1.5 Million Children. https://www.unicef.org/iran/en/press-releases/unicef-brings-life-saving-vaccines-iran-reaching-15-million-children. Accessed 25 Nov. 2025.
“Eastern Mediterranean Region.” Immunization Data, https://immunizationdata.who.int/dashboard/regions/eastern-mediterranean-region/IRN. Accessed 25 Nov. 2025.
Moradi-Lakeh, Maziar, and Abdoulreza Esteghamati. “National Immunization Program in Iran: Whys and Why Nots.” Human Vaccines & Immunotherapeutics, vol. 9, no. 1, Jan. 2013, pp. 112–14, doi:10.4161/hv.22521.
CDC. “Fast Facts on Global Immunization.” Global Immunization, 15 Jul. 2025, https://www.cdc.gov/global-immunization/fast-facts/index.html.
