The Gavi Replenishment Conference: What's at stake, What you need to know
Gavi Replenishment Conference: What you need to know
On 27 January in Berlin starts the Gavi Replenishment Conference hosted by German Chancellor Angela Merkel.
What is Gavi?
Gavi is the Vaccine Alliance set up in 2000 as an innovative public-private partnership to transform immunisation in poor countries, and it has already saved 6 million lives. Despite global campaigning and the widely-expressed view that investing in Gavi is one of the simplest and most cost-effective ways of saving lives, current donor projections suggest that the replenishment could fall at least half a billion dollars short of its fundraising target.
Photo: Gavi/Adrian Brooks
What is the Gavi Replenishment Conference, and why is it important?
The Gavi Replenishment Conference is a meeting in Berlin to discuss immunisation and vaccination efforts globally. It is the first big test of the international community’s determination to make 2015 a breakthrough year in the fight to end extreme poverty and preventable child deaths. The meeting is also an important marker for the ambition of the G7. The Gavi replenishment will set the tone for Germany’s leadership of the G7; however maternal and child health needs to stay on the G7 agenda for the rest of 2015.
Who is coming?
Global leaders from countries all over the world. Before travelling to Berlin for the Replenishment Conference, these global leaders have been considering their financial pledges to Gavi. These donor countries to Gavi have a chance to step up at the meeting and replenish funding that will save the lives of children worldwide.
What's at stake?
This is the world's largest partnership for child immunisation and it's facing up to a $USD 500 million funding shortfall for the next phase of its life-saving work. A potential immunisation funding shortfall to Gavi (in other words, lack of financial pledges) means hundreds of thousands of childrens' lives are at risk.
Is there a plan?
Yes, Gavi has set out a plan for 2016-2020 which would save up to six million lives and immunise more than 300 million children against deadly diseases. If donors fall short of the $US 7.5 billion cost of the plan, Gavi would likely not be able to fully meet countries‘ demands for vaccines against conditions including rotavirus, HPV, measles-rubella and typhoid, and fail in its mission to expand immunisation to those children and communities currently excluded. This shortfall could result in hundreds of thousands of unnecessary deaths and large economic and productivity losses, and set back the ambition to reach every child with immunisation.
By 2020, Gavi can help vaccinate 300 million kids & unlock US$ 80-100 billion in economic benefits.
What does the international community have to say?
Speaking together, leading agencies including ACTION Global Health Advocacy Partnership, Save the Children, ONE, Global Poverty Project, BRAC, WorldVision and the Gavi Civil Society Steering Committee – say:
“We are deeply concerned that in this crucial year for development, donors may fall at the first hurdle. This is not just another obscure political meeting – it’s about the world’s poorest children.
“Gavi is ranked as one of the most transparent and effective development mechanisms in the world. All donors say they support immunisation and want to see Gavi fully funded. Words won’t vaccinate a child – what’s needed now is cash.
“There is still time for leaders around the world step up to ensure a successful replenishment for Gavi and a healthy future for millions more children. Many of Gavi’s key donors, including Germany, United States, France, Japan, Norway, Sweden, Australia, Italy, the Netherlands and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation have yet to finalize and announce their pledges. We urge each of them to prioritize Gavi and increase their commitment significantly. We hope others who have already made strong pledges, such as the European Commission and the UK do all that they can to fill the gap.
Vaccination - tell me more
Only 5% of children get all the vaccines WHO recommends.
How do vaccines work & why are they important? People from around the world explain why we must #reacheverychild.
What could it mean to #reacheverychild with vaccines? Healthier, wealthier families, communities & countries across the world.
What can you do to help, and stand beside Gavi and other partners to ensure we reach every child with life-saving vaccines?
Follow the Conference and partners on Twitter on January 27 via the hashtag #reacheverychild.
Tweet, retweet, and post on Facebook the importance of vaccination for ending preventable child deaths in the next 15 years.
Sign the ONE Campaign's petition to urge President Obama to give Gavi the increased funding it deserves.