Gavi

On January 29, 2000, the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (now known as Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance) was founded. It was established to improve access to new and underused vaccines for children living in the world's poorest countries. Gavi brings together public and private sectors, leveraging their expertise and resources to improve vaccine coverage and ensure children are protected from deadly diseases.

In June 2010, Gavi secured commitments totaling USD 4.3 billion during its first pledging conference hosted in London. This funding was crucial for expanding Gavi's vaccination programs, enabling the Alliance to reach more children than ever before with life-saving vaccines. The conference was attended by governments, NGOs, and private sector partners, all contributing to the goal of reducing global child mortality.

On June 13, 2011, Gavi launched a major effort to protect children in Africa from pneumococcal disease, which is a leading cause of pneumonia, meningitis, and sepsis in children worldwide. The introduction of the pneumococcal vaccine marked a significant milestone as it was the first time ever that a new vaccine had been introduced across multiple countries in a short span under Gavi's accelerated introduction plan, showcasing Gavi's commitment to disease prevention.

On January 27, 2015, donors pledged USD 7.5 billion to Gavi at the 'Reach Every Child' replenishment conference held in Berlin. This funding commitment aimed to support Gavi's goal of immunizing 300 million additional children by 2020, thereby saving between 5 and 6 million lives. The conference highlighted the continued trust and investment in Gavi's impact on global health, providing the resources needed to sustain its vaccine delivery efforts.

In September 2017, Gavi took a significant step in combating typhoid by rolling out the first-ever mass vaccination campaign with the typhoid conjugate vaccine in developing countries. This effort aimed to curb typhoid fever, which is caused by Salmonella typhi bacteria, a significant health issue in many low-income nations. Gavi's support was crucial in making the vaccine accessible and affordable to millions at risk, signaling a breakthrough in disease prevention.

On June 11, 2019, Gavi celebrated its 20th anniversary, reflecting on two decades of transformative impact on global health. Since its inception, Gavi had supported the immunization of over 760 million children, preventing more than 13 million deaths. The anniversary was a moment to recognize the collaborative efforts of global health partners, nations, and donors in achieving significant reductions in child mortality across the globe through effective vaccination programs.

In June 2020, amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Gavi was a central figure in launching COVAX, a global collaboration aimed at accelerating the development, production, and equitable access to COVID-19 tests, treatments, and vaccines. COVAX's goal was to ensure that all countries, regardless of income level, receive timely and fair access to COVID-19 vaccines, aiming to end the acute phase of the pandemic and rebuild global health security.

On June 2, 2021, Gavi secured USD 8.8 billion in funding for its 2021-2025 strategic period, during the Global Vaccine Summit hosted by the UK. This new funding was intended to immunize 300 million more children and save up to 8 million lives. The pledges highlighted continued international support for Gavi's efforts to expand vaccination coverage and its commitment to strengthening health systems in the world's poorest countries.

In October 2022, Gavi, alongside UNICEF, celebrated a monumental achievement of having supported the immunization of 1 billion children since Gavi's founding. This milestone reflects the extensive global collaborations and commitments aimed at protecting children across developing countries from preventable diseases. The achievement underscored Gavi's role in driving vaccine equity and improving health outcomes in the poorest regions worldwide.

In May 2023, Gavi launched its new five-year plan, the Gavi 5.0 strategy, aiming to accelerate efforts towards universal vaccine coverage. This strategy focuses on equity in immunization, particularly reaching zero-dose children who have not received any routine vaccination. Gavi 5.0 prioritizes innovative approaches, digital solutions, and collaborative frameworks to ensure every child is protected against preventable diseases.