Background & objectives

In Gavi’s 2026–2030 strategic period (Gavi 6.0), the Gavi Middle-Income Countries (MICs) approach is evolving into the catalytic phase (CP), building on the successes and lessons to date to become more targeted, impactful and sustainable in line with ELTRACO policy.

CP support primarily aims to drive the sustainable introduction of key missing vaccines – currently including pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV), rotavirus and human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines, with future support for dengue and tuberculosis vaccines as they become part of Gavi’s vaccine portfolio. CP countries may also access support for vaccine optimisation and, where eligible, fragility and emergency related support under the Fragile and Humanitarian (F&H) approach .

Unlike countries in the initial self-financing, preparatory transition, and accelerated transition phases, CP countries do not receive a multi-year Vaccine Budget or Cash Budget.

Country eligibility

A country is in the catalytic phase if (a) its gross national income (GNI) per capita is equal to or below the World Bank’s lower-middle income threshold; or (b) it is eligible to borrow from the International Development Association (IDA-eligible). Countries that have transitioned out of the accelerated transition phase and meet one of these criteria are referred to as former Gavi-eligible. Countries that have never been Gavi-eligible and meet one of these criteria are also part of the catalytic phase. Countries can enter the catalytic phase at any point during Gavi strategic period and remain in this phase for its entirety.

For details on support in the catalytic phase, please visit Part C and Annex 8 of the Gavi 6.0 funding guidelines.

Support for new vaccine introductions

Gavi aims to achieve the objective of the catalytic phase – to drive equitable and sustainable introduction of key missing vaccines – by working at two levels: (1) global/multi-country level, to address systemic issues that commonly stand in the way of sustainable and equitable new vaccine introductions; and (2) country-level catalysers (e.g. technical assistance, one-off costs, vaccine financing support) to drive sustainable and equitable new vaccine introductions.

Gavi also enables support for vaccine optimisation, including product switches, as a new type of support in the catalytic phase. It is intended to support informed decision-making and financial sustainability of vaccines in CP countries. Country-level support for optimisation aims to enable countries to assess and implement vaccine optimisation activities and product switches.

Guidance for catalytic phase countries facing fragility and/or emergencies

Emergency and fragility support for CP countries is being fully integrated into the Gavi 6.0 Fragile and Humanitarian (F&H) approach . In July 2026, the Gavi Board will review and make a decision on the full scope of this support. Subject to Gavi Board approval, this support will be channelled through the Gavi Resilience Mechanism (GRM), a core instrument of the F&H approach.

Countries interested in learning more about the Catalytic Phase should reach out to their Gavi Senior Country Manager.

Additional resources

• Countries and economies eligible for support under the Catalytic Phase
  English
• Gavi's 6.0 funding guidelines
• Gavi 6.0 F&H approach