Regional Vaccine Hub Launched at Khalifa Economic Zones
Developed with GlaxoSmithKline and operated by Rafed, the facility will handle more than 20 vaccines for adults and children with smart cold-chain tech and international reach via Etihad PharmaLife.
A new vaccine distribution hub is now operational at Khalifa Economic Zones Abu Dhabi (KEZAD), expanding the emirate’s role in global healthcare logistics. Developed with GlaxoSmithKline and operated by Rafed, the facility will handle more than 20 vaccines for adults and children.
Featuring advanced cold-chain systems designed to ensure vaccines are stored and transported under tightly controlled conditions, the hub is connected to Etihad Cargo’s PharmaLife network, enabling time-sensitive pharmaceutical shipments to over 100 global destinations.
The project builds on partnerships formed during the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2021, Abu Dhabi was the first city to receive Sotrovimab, a monoclonal antibody developed by GlaxoSmithKline. The treatment was administered to more than 23,000 high-risk patients, setting a precedent for future collaboration in pharmaceutical logistics.
The facility joins a broader infrastructure push within Abu Dhabi’s healthcare sector. During the pandemic, the emirate’s Hope Consortium managed one of the world’s largest vaccine storage hubs in Khalifa Industrial Zone, distributing millions of doses globally.
