The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has pledged $1.58 billion to Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, over the next five years.
The pledge, unveiled by USAID Administrator Samantha Power on June 20, 2024, aims to vaccinate half a billion children globally and fortify international health security.
Building on a 24-year partnership that has already immunized over one billion children and saved 17 million lives, the U.S. is increasing its support by eight percent compared to the previous five-year period.
This pledge, made at Gavi’s replenishment launch in Paris, is the U.S.’s first-ever five-year commitment to Gavi and signals a continued effort to save more than eight million lives.
The funding will accelerate initiatives to reach children who have never been vaccinated and expand vaccination programs to include diseases like malaria and cervical cancer. Additionally, it will enhance countries’ capabilities to swiftly respond to health emergencies.
A pivotal aspect of this new commitment is the launch of the African Vaccine Manufacturing Accelerator (AVMA). This initiative, supported by the African Union and Gavi, aims to bolster the production of vaccines within Africa and establish sustainable vaccine markets.
The AVMA is expected to promote vaccine equity and improve the continent’s agility in addressing future health crises. The U.S. has backed AVMA since its inception and looks forward to further collaboration with the African Union to advance this vital effort.
USAID’s historical role in global immunization efforts—from the eradication of smallpox to the distribution of COVID-19 vaccines—positions it at the forefront of this new initiative.
Administrator Power emphasized that this period will be Gavi’s most impactful, with the potential to vaccinate more children against more diseases faster than ever before. The U.S. calls on all nations to increase their commitments to Gavi, aiming to save millions more lives through sustained, high-level coordination and collaboration.
