Luxembourg strengthens Lao PDR’s immunisation system with vital vaccine cold chain equipment

Injecting a vaccine is only half the job. Keeping it safe until it reaches a child is the other half. On 7 July 2026, a handover ceremony took place at the National Centre for Maternal and Child Health to mark Luxembourg’s donation of new cold chain equipment to Lao PDR. The equipment, which will strengthen the country's vaccine cold chain system, is valued at approximately EUR 2.5 million and is provided through the Health and nutrition programme. It will be distributed across the central, provincial and district levels.

Vaccines are only as effective as the cold chain that protects them. From the moment a vaccine leaves the manufacturing facility to the moment it reaches a child in a remote village, it must remain within a precise temperature range. A single break in that chain can make the difference between a vaccine that protects and one that does not.

Despite national progress in expanding immunisation coverage, the current cold chain infrastructure remains partially below international standards. Many units have been identified as being outdated or non-functional, which compromises vaccine potency and safety, particularly in remote areas.

Thus, at the request of the Ministry of Health, the new equipment was procured through B Medical Systems, a Luxembourg-based specialist in medical-grade cold chain solutions, building on the company's track record of providing durable, high-performing products, including those supplied to the Lao Red Cross in 2024. The equipment includes more than 3,000 essential cold chain components, such as refrigerators, freezers, digital temperature monitoring devices and mobile transport units, covering both facility-based storage and outreach transportation at district and village levels. Furthermore, the installation will be supported at the provincial and district levels, including staff training for central and provincial participants, and will be accompanied by three years of preventive maintenance, to ensure the effective installation, utilisation and maintenance of the equipment.

Over the past 2 decades, the mortality rate for children under five has fallen significantly, to 28 deaths per 1,000 live births, due to improved healthcare access and the increased presence of skilled birth attendants. Despite sustained improvements, the rate remains one of the highest in Southeast Asia. 

Immunisation plays a vital role in protecting children and women against infectious diseases and in ensuring their survival and health. It is one of the most cost-effective, high-impact interventions for reducing mortality and morbidity, and safeguarding infants and mothers from severe illnesses and disabilities.

But the impact of this investment does not stop at Lao PDR's borders. Vaccine-preventable diseases do not respect national boundaries: an outbreak anywhere poses a risk everywhere. By helping to close the gaps in Laos' cold chain system, Luxembourg's investment strengthens the health of Lao children and families, while also contributing to Lao PDR's own sustainable development and reinforcing regional and global health security.

The handover ceremony was attended by key dignitaries, including Mr Vannaxay CHATTAKOUN, Deputy Minister of Health of Lao PDR, Mr Thomas LAMMAR, Chargé d’Affaires at the Embassy of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg in Lao PDR, Mr Robert DE WAHA, Regional Representative of the LuxDev Asia Office, Dr Silvia MORGOCI, Senior Sectoral Adviser of the Health and nutrition programme, as well as representatives of the Lao government and LuxDev.

"Maternal and child health has become one of the top priorities of the government of Lao PDR and the Ministry of Health. In this regard, immunisation services and vaccine cold-chain equipment are indispensable. In addition, the Ministry of Health has set targets for health and Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) indicators related to maternal and child health to be achieved by 2030,” stated Mr Vannaxay CHATTAKOUN, Deputy Minister of Health.

He then expressed his deep appreciation to the government of Luxembourg and all related organisations for their support and for making the handover of vaccine cold-chain equipment possible. He expressed confidence that this valuable contribution would further strengthen the National Immunisation Programme and lead to greater success in the future. He further emphasised his aspiration that bilateral cooperation between Lao PDR and Luxembourg in the health sector would continue to grow stronger and produce even more fruitful results in the years ahead.

This handover reflects the strength of the partnership between Luxembourg and Lao PDR, and a shared commitment to ensuring that every child, in every province, has access to the vaccines that protect their future and the health of the wider population.

The Health and nutrition programme is financed by the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, and implemented by the Lao Ministry of Health and LuxDev, the Luxembourg Development Cooperation Agency.