The Department of Health – Abu Dhabi (DoH), the regulator of the healthcare sector in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, has announced the operational launch of the region’s vaccine distribution hub in Abu Dhabi, following the arrival of the facility’s first shipments. Located in Abu Dhabi and developed in partnership with leading global and regional stakeholders, the hub is a strategic milestone in the Emirate’s vision to strengthen global health security, ensure equitable vaccine access, and build resilient supply chains across the region.
Located in KEZAD and operated by Rafed, a subsidiary of PureHealth, the hub was developed in collaboration with the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO), GSK, AD Ports Group, Etihad Cargo, and KEZAD Group. This hub reflects Abu Dhabi’s model of cross-sector collaboration uniting government, biopharma, logistics, and innovation under one ecosystem.
The activation of the hub follows a strategic agreement signed between DoH and GSK during Abu Dhabi Global Healthcare Week in 2024 to establish regional vaccine distribution capabilities in the emirate. Now realized, the facility becomes GSK’s first vaccine distribution centre in the Middle East and the fourth worldwide, further solidifying Abu Dhabi’s role in supporting regional health security and global supply chain resilience.
H.E Dr. Noura Khamis Al Ghaithi, Undersecretary of the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi, said: “The operational launch of Abu Dhabi’s regional vaccine hub signals our readiness to serve the region with speed, precision, and reliability. More than a logistics milestone, this reflects our long-term vision to position Abu Dhabi as a trusted partner in global health where innovation and resilience translate into timely access and measurable public health impact. Through this hub, we are making vaccines more accessible to communities across borders and strengthening the UAE’s leadership in preventive, future-ready healthcare.”
Boyd Chongphaisal, Vice President and General Manager, GSK Gulf, commented: “The launch of our vaccine distribution hub in Abu Dhabi represents a shared commitment to health security, innovation, and access. Through our strategic partnership with DoH and local stakeholders, we are combining scientific excellence with operational strength to ensure timely, efficient delivery of vaccines across the region. The integration of this hub under HELM further demonstrates GSK’s pioneering stance and alignment with Abu Dhabi’s vision for driving impactful outcomes in the life sciences sector on a regional and global scale. This initiative is also a testament to Abu Dhabi's position in the global value chain, strengthening its role in global health and innovation.”
Rafed, the operator of the facility, has deployed advanced cold-chain and smart distribution technologies that preserve vaccine integrity and ensure end-to-end visibility throughout the logistics process. The hub is fully integrated with Etihad Cargo’s PharmaLife network, which connects Abu Dhabi to more than 100 international destinations and offers time-sensitive, temperature-controlled freight services tailored for pharmaceutical products.
Mohammad Mustafa Saeed, Chief Executive Officer of Rafed added: “As a PureHealth company, Rafed is committed to delivering healthcare excellence through world-class pharmaceutical logistics. The launch of this regional vaccine distribution hub is a tangible expression of our strategy to strengthen health systems, improve access, and build resilience across borders. By deploying advanced cold-chain and smart distribution technologies, we are enabling real-time, end-to-end visibility. We remain focused on supporting governments and health partners with confidence and reliability to achieve better health outcomes for communities from Abu Dhabi across the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia.”
Stanislas Brun, Chief Cargo Officer at Etihad Airways added: “Etihad Cargo’s participation in this initiative reflects our continued investment in healthcare logistics. Our network and specialised PharmaLife product play a critical role in transporting temperature-sensitive vaccines reliably and efficiently across the region. We are proud to support Abu Dhabi’s vision of becoming a global leader in life sciences and supply chain excellence.”
