Protecting more children, against more diseases, faster than ever before – Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance

Paris / Geneva, 21 June 2024 On 20 June Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance (Gavi) co-hosted the Global Forum for Vaccine Sovereignty and Innovation with the African Union and the French Republic. At this event, opened by the Chair of the Board of Gavi, the President of the French Republic, and the Chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC), Gavi called on donors to support its efforts to protect more children, against more diseases, faster than ever before as it published its Investment Opportunity for its next strategic period, 20262030. The Forum also marked the launch of the African Vaccine Manufacturing Accelerator (AVMA), which will be backed by approximately US$ 1.2 billion in donor funding over the next 10 years.

Countries from around the world participated in this Global Forum, including the Heads of State or Government of Botswana, Germany, Ghana, Norway, Rwanda, and Senegal, as well as high-level representatives from governments (including more than 25 Ministers) and the European Commission, and leaders of partner organisations such as WHO, UNICEF, the Global Fund and Unitaid, as well from civil society, development banks, and the private sector.

In presenting its latest Investment Opportunity, Dr Sania Nishtar, CEO of Gavi outlined to participants how the Alliance, if fully funded, could protect 500 million children in its next five-year strategic period, saving over 8 million lives.

Todays announced targets mean that while Gavi vaccinated one billion children between 2000 and 2020, it is aiming to reach the next billion children in half the time. This acceleration through 2030 is critical at a time when countries combat the increasing risks of climate change, fragility, and economic instability and in the last push towards the Sustainable Development Goals. Fifty percent of the vaccines in Gavis portfolio help combat the twin threats of climate change and antimicrobial resistance, expand investments in outbreak and pandemic preparedness and response, and key vaccine programmes. In Gavis next five-year strategy, it will aim to reach at least 50 million children with four doses of the malaria vaccine, and 120 million girls saving 1.5 million lives with the HPV vaccine.

Achieving this historic milestone will require effort from all of Gavis stakeholders, with donors being asked to provide new funding of US$ 9 billion. These pledges will be supplemented by a suite of innovative finance instruments that will maximise the impact of donor funding. Meanwhile, countries implementing Gavi programmes are expected to contribute a record amount over 40% of their own routine vaccine costs during the next strategic period. This is compared to 10% just fifteen years ago, reflective of the Vaccine Alliances unique model of country-ownership and sustainability of immunisation programmes. At the same time, immunisation programmes are expected to generate at least US$ 100 billion in economic benefits for Gavi-implementing countries.

With Gavis replenishment process for 20262030 only just beginning, the event saw early pledges from the United States of America, France, Spain and private sector and philanthropic donors worth at least US$ 2.4 billion (see below for details). Gavi will now commence an intense period of fundraising, with a view to hosting a final pledging event in the next 7 to 12 months.

The Forum also saw the official launch of the African Vaccine Manufacturing Accelerator (AVMA), an innovative finance mechanism designed to boost regional vaccine production capabilities in Africa and thus improve the continents resilience in the face of pandemics and other health emergencies.

Designed by Gavi in close collaboration with the African Union and Africa CDC, AVMA will offer incentives to the regions vaccine producers that successfully hit critical regulatory and supply milestones, helping to offset high upfront investment costs. Twelve sovereign and philanthropic donors committed to provide approximately US$ 1.2 billion to AVMA, including around US$ 800 million from Team Europe partners.

"Over twenty years, Gavi has vaccinated a whole generation over one billion children. Our message today to our donors is that, with their help we can achieve even greater impact, helping to create a world that is safer for everyone," said Jos Manuel Barroso, Chair of the Board of Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance.

"The Global Forum for Vaccine Sovereignty and Innovation we organized together today in Paris is a concrete milestone towards vaccine sovereignty in Africa. France, hand in hand with its partners, is leading the way to champion global vaccination, ensuring every nation can protect its citizens and foster a healthier, united world," said Emmanuel Macron, President of the French Republic.

"The African Vaccine Manufacturing Accelerator could thus become a catalyst for promoting the pharmaceutical industry in Africa, creating an environment conducive to technical assistance and technology transfer, and fostering innovation and collaboration between member states. Africa-CDC is strongly committed to increasing Africa's drug production capacity from 1% to 60% by 2040. As part of this drive, the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), once operational, will lay the foundations for a genuine integration of the levers of our health sovereignty," said Moussa Faki Mahamat, Chairperson of the African Union Commission.

In addition to unveiling its 20262030 Investment Opportunity and formalizing AVMA, the Forum saw a number of new commitments and partnerships launched in support of Gavis next strategic period, leading to early pledges totalling more than US$ 2.4 billion:

A number of commitments were also confirmed in support of the African Vaccine Manufacturing Accelerator (AVMA), primarily through strategic reallocations of COVID-19 funding, totalling approximately US$ 1.2 billion.

In addition to financial commitments from sovereign and private donors to Gavis next strategic period, and innovative private sector and philanthropic partnerships, vaccine manufacturers also stepped up to support the Vaccine Alliances goal of shaping healthy vaccine markets that support equitable access:

A specific declaration dedicated to supporting local production of vaccines against cholera was also made under the auspices of the Forum with the support of Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Spain, Sweden, the United States of America, as well as the European Commission, Gavi, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the World Health Organisation. France made a concrete commitment to this ambition by announcing support of EUR 10 million.

"With the support of Team Europe, France committed to co-host this Forum with the Vaccine Alliance and the African Union because we share a common ambition: ensuring vaccine sovereignty for all our partners! Local production is key to better fight epidemics and next pandemics. This objective is at the core of our global health strategy as well as of the EU-AU strategic partnership," said Dr Chrysoula Zacharopoulou, Minister of State for Development and International Partnerships of the French Republic.

"Africa CDC supports the replenishment of Gavis 6.0 strategy, an investment in preventing deaths from vaccine-preventable diseases in Africa. AVMA will enable us to produce 60% of our vaccines in Africa by 2040. The commitments and pledges for the AVMA mark the beginning of Africas journey towards its second independence an Africa that ensures the health security for its citizens," said Dr Jean Kaseya, Director General of the African Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC)

"We are incredibly grateful for the strong show of support we received today from donors as we prepare for an intense period of resource mobilisation. We are grateful also to implementing countries, for the political commitment they make to vaccine equity, and alongside them Gavis many partners and stakeholders with whom we strive day in, day out, to improve lives and livelihoods," said Dr Sania Nishtar, CEO of Gavi.

Gavi and its partners also launched "The Starting Line," a campaign designed to mobilise athletes, content creators, and media to highlight the importance of equal access to vaccines. The campaign will run through this summer's Paris Olympics and will feature a series of sporting champions, including former French footballer Robert Pires, former swimmer, and Olympic gold medalist Laure Manaudou, breakdancer Junior Bosila Banya, professional footballer Ada Hegerberg, and Olympic gold medalist Mo Farah. Additionally, the campaign will include a series of videos by content creators such as Michel Cymes and Max Klymenko, and the launch of a website where everyone can assess their place on "The Starting Line" of life.

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Protecting more children, against more diseases, faster than ever before - Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance