Funding demonstrates strong bipartisan commitment to provide life-saving vaccines to children in poor countries

WASHINGTON, DC, 17 January 2014 – The United States has committed an additional US$ 175 million toward funding global vaccine programmes through the GAVI Alliance, the largest amount that the U.S. has ever appropriated to GAVI. The funds, part of the fiscal year 2014 U.S. budget, will be used to purchase and deliver life-saving vaccines in the world’s poorest countries.

“In these difficult budgetary times, we are deeply appreciative of the Obama Administration and leaders in Congress for continuing their generous support of our mission to save children’s lives in the world’s poorest countries,” said GAVI CEO Dr Seth Berkley. “Vaccines are one of the best buys in global health. We are thankful to Senators Leahy and Graham, Representatives Granger and Lowey, as well as many others on both sides of the aisle who understand that effective investments in global health both serve the most vulnerable and provide proven economic benefits.”

This strong action by the United States comes as GAVI is entering a critical year when it will need the collective support of all those committed to child immunisation. 

Dr Seth Berkley, GAVI Alliance CEO

This increased support from the United States comes as GAVI prepares for its 2016-2020 funding replenishment. GAVI has undertaken an unprecedented acceleration of its programmes, from 55 vaccine rollouts in 2011-2012 to more than 150 introductions in the next two years, including addition of the inactivated polio vaccine. An important focus in the next cycle is ensuring that the benefits of vaccines reach every child, even in the most remote areas.

“This strong action by the United States comes as GAVI is entering a critical year when it will need the collective support of all those committed to child immunisation,” Dr Berkley said. “GAVI’s public-private business model provides a sustainable approach to aid, putting countries on track to self-sufficiency. This U.S. contribution will help us seize the moment to accelerate progress toward a world where every child, everywhere is fully immunised.”

Since GAVI was founded in 2000, it has helped immunise 440 million children, saving more than 6 million lives. GAVI is on target to fulfil the promise made to the United States and other donors in 2011 to immunise an additional quarter billion children by 2015, saving an additional 4 million lives.

GAVI also applauds increased funding of US$ 705 million for the overall Maternal and Child Health account in the fiscal year 2014 U.S. budget.

GAVI is funded by governments [Australia, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Republic of Korea, Russia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, United Kingdom, United States], the European Commission, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, as well as private and corporate partners [Absolute Return for Kids, Anglo American plc., The Children’s Investment Fund Foundation, Comic Relief, Dutch Postcode Lottery, His Highness Sheikh Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, JP Morgan, “la Caixa” Foundation, LDS Charities, Lions Clubs, OPEC and Vodafone].

Click to view the full donor list.

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