This page provides general answers to common questions about GAVI and the Vaccine Fund, two key players in the global effort to improve vaccine access in low-income countries. Through coordinated partnerships and targeted funding, these initiatives work to close immunization gaps and strengthen health systems worldwide. The information below offers a clear overview of how these programs operate and who they support.
What is GAVI?
GAVI, the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization, is a collaborative initiative designed to expand vaccine access in the world’s poorest countries.
It brings together public and private partners—including governments, international agencies, foundations, and civil society—to coordinate efforts that reduce vaccine-preventable diseases. The alliance operates on the principle that no child should die from a disease that can be prevented by a vaccine.
Unlike earlier immunization campaigns that often worked in isolation, GAVI focuses on integration and long-term support. It works directly with national health systems to introduce new vaccines, improve routine immunization, and ensure country-led ownership.
The alliance also helps address structural gaps that hinder access, such as cold chain logistics, healthcare training, and delivery infrastructure.
A major strength of GAVI is its unified governance and decision-making structure, which encourages transparency, shared responsibility, and results-driven action.
Through close coordination between partners and recipient countries, GAVI ensures that vaccine rollouts are efficient, accountable, and aligned with each country’s priorities. Its model has become a blueprint for how cross-sector collaboration can improve public health outcomes at scale.
What is the Vaccine Fund?
The Vaccine Fund was established to provide financial support for immunization efforts in countries that need it most. It works in close coordination with GAVI to supply critical resources such as vaccines, injection safety materials, and technical support for immunization programs.
The goal is to remove financial barriers and ensure that cost doesn’t prevent children from receiving life-saving vaccines.
Funding is specifically directed toward countries with a gross national product (GNP) below $1,000 per capita. These countries often struggle with limited healthcare infrastructure, and the Vaccine Fund helps fill urgent gaps by delivering essential supplies and operational funding.
It supports the introduction of new vaccines like hepatitis B, Hib, and yellow fever, which have historically been underused in low-income regions.
The Fund operates as a catalyst—kickstarting vaccine programs and enabling countries to strengthen their immunization services. Over time, support from the Vaccine Fund is designed to taper as countries develop sustainable financing strategies.
This approach helps build national capacity and encourages long-term investment in health systems beyond initial donor support.
How Does GAVI Work?
GAVI operates through a structured system that includes a Board, Working Groups, and Task Forces, each with distinct responsibilities.
The Board provides overall strategic direction, while the Working Groups handle technical areas like vaccine delivery, financing, and country support. Task Forces are assembled as needed to address specific priorities such as advocacy or data systems.
Funding decisions are made through a transparent application process. Countries submit proposals outlining their immunization needs and program plans.
These proposals are reviewed by an independent committee that evaluates their feasibility, alignment with GAVI’s goals, and potential for impact. This process ensures that funding is distributed based on merit and the greatest need.
GAVI also places strong emphasis on accountability and performance. Once support is approved, countries are expected to provide regular reports on outcomes and financial usage.
This data-driven approach helps maintain trust among donors and ensures that resources are being used effectively to increase immunization coverage and strengthen national health systems.
Who Receives Support?
GAVI support is targeted toward countries with a gross national product (GNP) of less than $1,000 per capita. These are often low-income nations where children are most at risk of missing routine immunizations due to limited resources and healthcare infrastructure.
By focusing on these countries, GAVI aims to close the immunization gap and improve health equity globally.
Support is tailored based on each country’s needs, population size, and program goals. This can include vaccines for hepatitis B, Hib, and yellow fever, as well as injection safety tools and funding for service delivery.
In many cases, countries receive support for introducing new vaccines that were previously unavailable in their public health systems.
To date, over 54 countries have received assistance through this model. The approach is designed to be flexible and scalable, allowing countries to expand immunization coverage over time while gradually working toward financial independence.
Support is not just about providing doses—it also helps countries build the systems needed to deliver vaccines effectively and sustainably.
What Is the Focus of GAVI’s Funding?
A significant portion of GAVI’s funding—around two-thirds—is dedicated to vaccine procurement. This includes purchasing vaccines in bulk and coordinating delivery to eligible countries.
By negotiating with manufacturers and consolidating demand, GAVI helps lower vaccine prices and ensures consistent supply, especially for newer or underused vaccines.
The remaining one-third of the funding is directed toward strengthening health systems. This includes improving cold chain infrastructure, training healthcare workers, upgrading data systems, and enhancing service delivery.
These investments help countries improve not just vaccination rates, but also the overall quality and reach of their healthcare services.
GAVI also works closely with countries to develop long-term financing plans. Sustainability is a core principle of its model, encouraging national governments to take increasing ownership of their immunization programs over time. Co-financing requirements and gradual transition plans ensure that progress continues even after direct GAVI support phases out.
What Vaccines Are Prioritized?
GAVI prioritizes vaccines that address major causes of child mortality and are often underfunded in low-income countries.
This includes vaccines for pneumococcal disease, rotavirus, and meningitis A/C—three illnesses responsible for hundreds of thousands of preventable deaths each year. By focusing on these diseases, GAVI aims to have a high-impact, measurable effect on global child health.
In addition to expanding access to existing vaccines, GAVI also supports research and development efforts to accelerate the introduction of new ones.
This includes partnerships with manufacturers and global health institutions to reduce the time and cost required to bring new vaccines to market. The goal is to ensure that life-saving innovations reach underserved populations as quickly as possible.
These efforts are part of GAVI’s broader mission to reduce vaccine-preventable deaths and improve health equity. By identifying gaps in vaccine availability and addressing them strategically, GAVI helps shift global health outcomes—particularly in communities that have long been left behind in the fight against infectious diseases.
Conclusion
GAVI and the Vaccine Fund have reshaped how the world tackles immunization in low-income countries by combining funding, partnership, and country-led support.
Their coordinated approach ensures that vaccines reach the children and communities that need them most—through efficient delivery systems, strategic planning, and measurable outcomes.
The impact of these efforts goes far beyond disease prevention. By introducing new vaccines, strengthening health systems, and encouraging sustainable national investment, GAVI is helping countries build stronger, more resilient healthcare infrastructure.
These improvements lay the groundwork for long-term health security and reduced child mortality worldwide.
This FAQ page offers a general overview of how GAVI operates and what it aims to achieve. While we are not affiliated with GAVI, we hope this information provides helpful context for anyone looking to better understand global immunization efforts and how collaborative models are driving meaningful change.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How does GAVI decide which countries receive support?
Countries are eligible for support if their gross national product (GNP) per capita is below $1,000. Funding decisions are based on submitted proposals, which are reviewed for alignment with GAVI’s goals, feasibility, and potential public health impact.
What types of vaccines does GAVI help fund?
GAVI supports a wide range of vaccines, including those for hepatitis B, Hib, yellow fever, pneumococcal disease, rotavirus, and meningitis A/C. These vaccines are selected based on disease burden, cost-effectiveness, and their potential to reduce child mortality.
Is GAVI still active today?
Yes, GAVI continues to play a major role in global immunization. While this page summarizes key aspects of the alliance and the Vaccine Fund based on public information, current program details and updates can be found on GAVI’s official website.