1. This memorandum provides additional instructions on the procurement of vaccines. Staff are encouraged to seek guidance and details in the Technical Note for the Procurement of Health Sector Goods.

2. Vaccines are usually procured under two different situations: (i) for emergency situations resulting from natural disasters or recognized epidemics; and (ii) for normal immunization programs.

3. For Emergency Situations: Borrowers may procure vaccines using Direct Contracting: (i) with a vaccine manufacturer (if the Borrower has satisfactory capacity to handle the technical and medical aspects of the supply), or (ii) from International specialized agencies like UNICEF or WHO and its regional offices (such as PAHO), acting as a supplier or as a procurement agent.

4. For Normal Immunization Programs: Borrowers may procure vaccines through: (i) LIB carried out by the Borrower among prequalified and certified manufacturers (if the Borrower has satisfactory capacity to handle the technical and medical aspects of the supply or decides to use a specialized procurement agent); or (ii) directly from International agencies like UNICEF or WHO and its regional offices (such as PAHO), acting as a supplier or as a procurement agent.

5. For Both Cases: (i) the international specialized agencies that have procurement procedures for vaccines that are acceptable to the Bank for direct contracting are: UNICEF and WHO and its regional offices (such as PAHO); (ii) taking into consideration the Borrower's capacity to handle the technical and medical aspects of the supply and the situation in the country, the HD Specialist will be responsible for approving the Borrower's request on the recommended international specialized agency to be used; (iii) the international specialized agencies will use their own procurement procedures; (iv) the Procurement Specialist will assist the HD specialist as required; and (v) the supply of vaccines may include distribution of the vaccines within the country to specified storage plants or vaccination centers.