Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance

Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance

Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance is a global health partnership committed to increasing access to immunization in poor countries. Established in 2000, Gavi brings together public and private sectors with the shared goal of creating equal access to new and underused vaccines for children living in the world’s poorest countries.

History

Gavi was founded in 2000 with the support of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, which provided an initial $750 million donation. The alliance was created in response to declining immunization rates in developing countries during the 1990s, which were attributed to a lack of funding and infrastructure.

Mission and Objectives

Gavi's mission is to save children’s lives and protect people’s health by increasing equitable use of vaccines in lower-income countries. Its objectives include:

• Accelerating equitable uptake and coverage of vaccines.
• Improving the sustainability of national immunization programs.
• Shaping markets for vaccines and other immunization products.

Structure and Governance

Gavi operates as a public-private partnership, with a board that includes representatives from:

• Developing country governments
• Donor country governments
• The World Health Organization (WHO)
• UNICEF
• The World Bank
• Vaccine manufacturers
• Civil society organizations
• Research and technical health institutes

Funding

Gavi is funded by a variety of sources, including:

• Government donations
• Private sector contributions
• Innovative financing mechanisms such as the International Finance Facility for Immunisation (IFFIm) and the Advance Market Commitment (AMC).

Achievements

Since its inception, Gavi has helped immunize over 888 million children, preventing more than 15 million future deaths. The alliance has played a crucial role in the introduction of new vaccines, such as the pneumococcal and rotavirus vaccines, in low-income countries.

Challenges

Despite its successes, Gavi faces several challenges, including:

• Ensuring vaccine supply and delivery in conflict zones and fragile states.
• Addressing vaccine hesitancy and misinformation.
• Securing sustainable funding in the face of global economic uncertainties.

Future Directions

Gavi continues to focus on increasing vaccine coverage and equity, particularly in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. The alliance is a key player in the COVAX initiative, which aims to ensure equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines worldwide.

See Also

• Global health
• Immunization
• Public health

External Links

• Official Gavi Website