GAVI seeks $9bn from new donors to vaccinate 500 million children over 5 years

In a bid to vaccinate over 500 million children and save more than 8 million lives between 2026 and 2030, the Public-Private Vaccine Alliance, GAVI, has initiated a groundbreaking $9 billion fundraising campaign. Sania Nishtar, the CEO of GAVI, expressed cautious optimism about the success of the new strategy, emphasizing the importance of donor support in achieving their ambitious objectives during an interview with CNBC Africa reporter, Kenneth Igbomor. During the interview, Nishtar outlined the key points of GAVI's new strategy, highlighting the organization's focus on expanding their vaccine portfolio, which will include vaccinating 120 million girls against cervical cancer and 50 million children against malaria. The organization aims to embark on a five-year journey that will revolutionize healthcare outcomes for millions of children worldwide. One of the critical aspects of GAVI's new strategy is the replenishment journey, which kicked off with an ask of $11.9 billion from donors. Nishtar acknowledged the challenges posed by fiscal constraints and competing priorities but underscored GAVI's track record of delivering exceptional health and economic returns at a low cost. She pointed out that for every dollar invested in GAVI, there is a remarkable $54 in economic returns, making it an attractive investment for donors. The COVID-19 pandemic has underscored the importance of health security and the need for swift mobilization of funding during crises. GAVI has responded to these lessons by establishing a $2.5 billion first-day zero financing facility and launching the African vaccine manufacturing accelerator (AVMA) to ensure vaccine sovereignty for Africa. The organization has also enhanced its flexibility to operate in fragile and humanitarian settings, allowing it to adapt to rapidly evolving situations. Africa's role in achieving vaccine self-sufficiency was a key focus of the discussion, with Nishtar emphasizing the importance of initiatives like AVMA in addressing vaccine inequity on the continent. She highlighted the need for countries to create conducive policy environments and regulatory regimes to attract private sector investment in vaccine manufacturing. GAVI's commitment to supporting this ecosystem was evident as they pledged to assist in actualizing vaccine security in Africa. GAVI's expanded portfolio now includes vaccines for diseases like tuberculosis, hepatitis, and dengue fever, reflecting the organization's commitment to protecting children against a broader range of threats. As Nishtar aptly put it, this is an exciting time for vaccination, with the potential to alleviate suffering and improve health outcomes on a global scale. In conclusion, GAVI's $9 billion funding campaign marks a significant milestone in the organization's efforts to advance global health through immunization. With a clear focus on expanding access to life-saving vaccines and promoting vaccine security, GAVI is poised to make a lasting impact on the lives of millions of children worldwide.