Ecuador, first country in Latin America and the Caribbean to acquire mobile cold-chain vehicles for vaccines through PAHO

Quito, 21 May 2026 (PAHO) - Ecuador has become the first country in Latin America and the Caribbean to acquire a fleet of specially designed vaccine transport vehicles with active cold-chain technology through the Regional Revolving Funds of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO).

The acquisition consists of 40 four-wheel-drive vehicles equipped with high-tech refrigeration units that keep vaccines at a constant temperature between 2°C and 8°C throughout transport, even on difficult roads, in hot tropical areas, or in remote territories.

Traditionally, vaccines have been transported using cold boxes with ice in conventional vehicles or refrigerated trucks. These systems continue to be widely used and have supported immunization programs, but they may present limitations in ensuring and monitoring temperatures over long distances, in tropical climates, or on rough roads.

This new solution complements those efforts by providing greater thermal control and stability, helping ensure that vaccines arrive in optimal condition.

The vehicles are also the first in the world to receive the World Health Organization's (WHO) PQS (Performance, Quality and Safety) prequalification, an international standard certifying their quality and reliability for immunization programs.

During the delivery ceremony, Jaime Bernabé, the Minister of Public Health of Ecuador, praised the country's "first fleet of refrigerated, specialized, and state-of-the-art vehicles." These mobile units "optimize transportation from the central level to every health center, safeguarding vaccine distribution," he said.

This initiative is part of a broader PAHO strategy through its Regional Revolving Funds, combining technological innovation, improvements in procurement processes, and technical support to countries. The organization is also promoting digital tools to better plan equipment needs, as well as other products such as refrigerated trucks and solar-powered equipment that are already being progressively implemented across the Americas.

Sonia Quezada, PAHO/WHO Representative in Ecuador, highlighted that the country procures 100% of its vaccines through the Revolving Fund. "In 2025 alone, we facilitated an investment of US$48.5 million to ensure the supply of 21 highest-quality biological products and guarantee access for 4.4 million people to routine immunization schedules and seasonal vaccination campaigns to prevent vaccine-preventable diseases," she added.

With these vehicles, Ecuador will be able to strengthen its routine vaccination campaigns, improve its response capacity during health emergencies, and guarantee more equitable access to vaccines, especially for the most remote communities.

The Vice President of the Republic, María José Pinto, also thanked the Revolving Fund for its support, highlighting the importance of protecting the population because "the vaccine will arrive in good condition to your neighborhood, meaning that when a mother goes to the health center, that vaccine will be there, without having to depend on luck or distance."

About PAHO's Regional Revolving Funds

Through its Regional Revolving Funds, PAHO works with Member States to strengthen vaccine production and supply capacities, as well as access to other essential medical technologies, with the goal of ensuring equitable access throughout the region. These efforts include demand planning, coordination of pooled procurement, logistics strengthening, regulatory support, technical assistance, and the development of national capacities to respond rapidly and safely to health emergencies.