Gavi Seeks $11.9 Billion in Funding to Expand Vaccination Efforts in the World’s Poorest Countries

The global vaccine organization Gavi is seeking $11.9 billion in funding from governments and foundations to support immunization efforts in the world’s poorest countries over the next five years. Donors will make their pledges for Gavi’s 2026-2030 plan at a meeting in Paris on Thursday, where the final amount will be determined. Additionally, a $1 billion scheme to boost vaccine production in Africa, the African Vaccine Manufacturing Accelerator, will also be launched on Thursday.

Gavi plays a crucial role in helping low-income countries purchase vaccines to protect against deadly diseases, and since 2020, approximately one billion children have been immunized because of its work. Gavi Chief Executive Sania Nishtar aims to accelerate vaccine distribution and increase access to vaccines by expanding the rollout of a malaria vaccine that began in Cameroon this year and catching up on routine programs for diseases like measles that were affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Nishtar acknowledged that global health faces challenges with aid budgets stretched thin due to various demands, but she expressed cautious optimism that Gavi would be able to raise the necessary funds. In addition to its current plans, Gavi also plans to expand its work by setting up an mpox vaccine stockpile, adding a dengue vaccine to its program, and establishing a $500 million pandemic response fund for quick action on major outbreaks.