A large batch of vaccines has successfully reached North Korea, but not for fighting COVID-19.

The U.N. Children’s Fund (UNICEF) told NK News on Tuesday that it has delivered more than 296,000 pentavalent vaccines to North Korea to protect children from five life-threatening diseases: diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, hepatitis B and Hib. 

“We can confirm that the Penta vaccines have been distributed to 13 provinces, in line with the agreed plan with the DPR Korea Ministry of Public Health,” a spokesperson said in an email, adding that an immunization campaign will commence shortly. 

The spokesperson did not specify a