Geneva: Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, and the World Bank announced a joint plan to mobilize at least two billion dollars over the next five years to strengthen primary healthcare systems and expand vaccine access in low and middle income countries. The announcement comes as global health agencies face concerns about funding shortages and growing inequality in vaccine coverage.
The funding will support countries working to improve their basic health systems, especially those struggling to maintain routine immunization programs that were disrupted during the Covid pandemic. According to officials, part of the investment will also go toward developing vaccine manufacturing capacity in Africa. This includes efforts to help the continent produce affordable vaccines and reduce reliance on foreign suppliers.
The World Bank has set a goal of helping provide quality health services to one and a half billion people by 2030. The new partnership is expected to move that goal forward by focusing on essential health services such as vaccination, maternal care and community health support.
Gavi’s leadership said the collaboration continues a long working relationship with the World Bank and reflects a wider global commitment to protect vulnerable populations from preventable diseases. They also noted that building stronger health systems now can help countries respond faster to future health emergencies.
Earlier this year, Gavi secured more than nine billion dollars in pledges for its 2026 to 2030 strategy, although that amount remains short of its original target. The additional two billion dollars planned under this initiative is expected to help close the funding gap and support countries with limited resources.
Health experts say the initiative could significantly improve access to vaccines, particularly in communities where children still lack basic immunizations. However, they also warned that long term success will depend on continued political support, trained healthcare workers and reliable supply chains.
Despite these challenges, the announcement has been welcomed by global health groups as an important step toward improving healthcare and preventing outbreaks of diseases such as measles, polio and pneumonia in vulnerable regions.