World leaders recommit to immunisation amid global funding shortfall

World leaders recommit to immunisation amid global funding shortfall

By Hope Mafaranga

 World leaders who are meeting in Brussels have pledged support for Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, leading to a total of more than US$ 9 billion secured against a targeted US$ 11.9 billion budget for its next five-year strategic period from 2026 to 2030.

 Additional donor commitments are expected in the coming months. 

 The Summit also resulted in US$ 4.5 billion in complementary financing unlocked from development finance institutions, up to US$ 200 million in cost savings for Gavi-supported programmes announced by vaccine manufacturers alongside other innovation and supply commitments that will further boost equitable access to critical vaccines, and a range of private sector partnerships aimed at transforming immunisation systems in lower income countries including a US$ 40 million anchor commitment towards a new Innovation Scale-Up Fund.

 June 26, 2025’s commitments bring Gavi a major step closer to securing the resources it needs for Gavi 6.0, in which it hopes to protect 500 million children from preventable disease, averting between 8-9 million future deaths, protecting the world from deadly outbreaks of diseases such as cholera, mpox and Ebola through its vaccine stockpiles and unlocking US$ 100 billion in economic benefits for countries. 

 The Summit, co-hosted by the European Union, Gates Foundation, and Gavi, in partnership with Global Citizen, was attended by representatives of 55 donor and implementing countries including 10 heads of state and government and 24 ministers as well as leaders from multilateral institutions, civil society, private sector and vaccine industry.

 Co-hosts the European Union and the Gates Foundation reaffirmed their leadership in global health by making strong commitments to Gavi.

 The Gates Foundation announced a commitment of US$ 1.6 billion, underscoring its enduring partnership in Gavi’s efforts to ensure child survival. 

 The European Commission pledged EUR 360 million, as part of a total pledge of more than EUR 2 billion from Team Europe  which includes the EU and its Member States collectively the largest donor to Gavi. At the Summit, the European Investment Bank (EIB) announced an extension of its EUR 1 billion liquidity facility that can be accessed by any donor to facilitate their pledge, while Team Europe has already pledged nearly EUR 800 million for Gavi’s African Vaccine Manufacturing Accelerator (AVMA) to support local vaccine manufacturing. 

 Record number of donors

In addition to the co-hosts, the Summit saw a record number of new donors step forward to support Gavi’s next strategic cycle (2026-2030). With some of Gavi’s existing donors unable to announce commitments due to a need to align pledging with their own domestic budgetary cycles, this broad base of support will provide critical momentum for Gavi as it continues to mobilise resources in pursuit of its US$ 11.9 billion fundraising target.

 With Gavi’s implementing countries expected to invest a record US$ 4 billion towards their immunisation programmes over the coming five years, the Summit had strong representation from leaders pledging support and political commitment towards Gavi’s model of sustainable co-financing and secure supply through a diversified manufacturing base, including increased manufacturing capacity in Africa.

The Summit also saw enthusiastic engagement in discussions on reform of the global health architecture. Gavi, which is implementing its own transformative reform programme called the Gavi Leap, has offered to play a lead role in shaping a dialogue on how to evolve the current landscape so that it better serves countries, and to take proactive steps in forging closer collaboration with its partner agencies.  

 Call to action

Leaders from all co-hosts of the Summit urged existing donors unable to pledge today as well as potential new donors to step forward to help Gavi reach its target of US$ 11.9 billion.

 Failure to fully fund Gavi will have significant consequences on the health and well-being of children in lower-income countries, as well as on global health security.

 

Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission said: "Investing in health is investing in our shared future. Our work with Gavi saves lives. For over 20 years, we have stood side by side, with the European Union contributing over EUR 3.2 billion to vaccinate more than 1 billion children against deadly diseases. But millions still need this vital protection.

Today, Team Europe is pledging more than EUR 2 billion. The EU remains committed to this mission so that children across the world are safer, healthier and stronger. This is global solidarity in action.”

 António Costa, President of the European Council said: “Today’s summit is a powerful reminder that global health security is a shared responsibility. Immunisation is one of its strongest foundations. We have to ensure that every person, everywhere, has access to vaccines. The European Union is proud to stand at the forefront of this global effort, helping raise resources and forging innovative partnerships that will save lives, protect communities and promote prosperity. Through Gavi, we are investing not just in vaccines, but in the preparedness and resilience of health systems worldwide.  Together with our partners, we are building a more secure and equitable global health architecture. The EU remains firm in its commitment to leaving no one behind.”

 

Bill Gates, chair of the Gates Foundation said: “In a constrained budget environment, it’s even more important to focus aid funding on the investments that really work. And Gavi is exactly that. I don’t know of anything with a higher impact per dollar in terms of saving and improving lives. Gavi is one of the best investments I’ve ever made and one of the best investments countries can make today in the world’s future.”

 

José Manuel Barroso, Board Chair, Gavi said: “Today is a good day for immunisation and a good day for global health. We have made impressive progress towards fully funding our next strategic period, secured vital access to finance for health systems investment and seen important progress that will shape vaccine markets and revolutionize last mile delivery. I want to thank all our donors and stakeholders that have stepped up to pledge towards a successful Gavi 2026-2030 period.”

 Dr Sania Nishtar, CEO, Gavi said: “I have been humbled by the support shown to Gavi today. As Gavi enters a new strategic period, a period which will see radical change to the way we support countries and converge with our partners at the last mile, we can do so with the confidence that not only our donors, but Gavi countries, the private sector and all other stakeholders stand with us as we build a healthier, more prosperous future."