The Project’s objective is to increase availability of the eligible vaccines for the priority population, as defined by the Government of Mongolia in its National Deployment and Vaccination Plan.

The Project is proposed to be supported under the COVID-19 Crisis Recovery Facility (the Facility) of AIIB and co-financed with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) under the ADB’s Asia Pacific Vaccine Access Facility (APVAX). The Project will provide the Government of Mongolia (GOM) with immediate financing support to purchase safe and effective vaccines against COVID-19 through APVAX. Through providing timely access to eligible COVID-19 vaccines, the Project will help contribute to containment of the pandemic and supporting economic and social recovery in the country. The GOM has launched its COVID-19 Vaccination Program and developed the National Deployment and Vaccination Plan (NDVP). The NDVP is an integral part of Mongolia's overall national COVID-19 pandemic prevention and response strategic plan. The NDVP ultimately aims to vaccinate 60% of the population. The Project will support the government in direct procurement of APVAX-eligible vaccines from manufacturers as well as international logistics to Mongolia. The Project will support the implementation of the NDVP and contribute to the government's efforts to immunize at least 30% of the population. Under its SPS, ADB has categorized the project as Category C for Environment, Involuntary Resettlement, and Indigenous Peoples on the basis that no adverse ES impacts are expected. The project has a draft confirmation that it will be categorized as “effective gender mainstreaming”, as it will expand social assistance for the poor and vulnerable with clear linkages to women’s welfare.