Two key factors set us apart from other actors in global health:

  • The partnership model: as a public-private partnership, we capitalise on the sum of our partners’ comparative advantages;         
  • The business model: by pooling demand for vaccines from lower-income countries, securing long-term funding and shaping vaccine markets, we are accelerating access to life-saving vaccines in the countries that need them the most.

In this section, we explain Gavi’s partnership model and explain the role of each of the Vaccine Alliance’s four founding partners.

As the UN's specialist agency on global health issues, WHO is a key Vaccine Alliance partner.

As the world's biggest buyer and supplier of vaccines for developing countries, UNICEF has a pivotal role in the Vaccine Alliance.

The World Bank brings the expertise of the world's biggest source of development assistance to the Vaccine Alliance.

Gates Foundation's initial pledge of US$ 750 million in 1999 provided the seed money to launch Gavi.


Implementing country governments

Implementing countries take the lead in identifying their immunisation needs, implementing vaccine programmes and co-financing their vaccines.

Donor country governments

Donor governments contribute funding as well as expertise in international development programmes.

Civil society: driving increased equity in immunisation

Gavi’s new Civil Society and Community Engagement (CSCE) approach ushers in a new era in building equity in immunisation. At the core is the goal to catalyse and strengthen strategic partnerships between governments and civil society…

Vaccine manufacturers

Gavi’s partnerships with the vaccine industry in developing and industrialised countries help ensure that vaccines are accessible and affordable.

Last updated: 29 Jan 2026