GAVI Secures Vital Support For Immunisation @ UNGA

The European Commission has pledged new funding of €260 million for 2026 to 2027, becoming the latest donor to support Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, during its next strategic phase, Gavi 6.0.

This announcement was made by European Commission president, Ursula von der Leyen, to a packed audience at the Global Citizen Festival in New York’s Central Park on September 28. The funding will complement the robust support from Team Europe and contribute to Gavi’s goal of protecting an additional 500 million children worldwide by 2030, strengthening immunisation systems and enhancing global health security in response to disease outbreaks.

The pledge highlights a productive week for Gavi in New York, which included advancements in innovative financing capabilities, as well as significant discussions on the role of vaccines in combatting antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and utilising cutting-edge technologies for vaccination rollouts. With contributions already pledged by the USA, France, Spain and other countries during Gavi’s replenishment campaign launch in June, the total fundraising target for this strategic period is set at US$9 billion, with Gavi having raised US$2.7 billion, so far. The European Commission’s €260 million pledge specifically targets the first two years of Gavi’s next cycle, coinciding with the final years of the EU’s Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) for 2021–2027. The commission remains committed to supporting Gavi during the proposal design for the next MFF, complementing the strong backing from EU Member States as part of Europe’s approach.

Gavi aims to complete the replenishment process by early 2025. Successfully meeting its target will enable the organisation to protect more children from a broader range of diseases and respond effectively to outbreaks of diseases such as mpox, Ebola and cholera during the next strategic period.

During the UNGA, Gavi and the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) announced an expansion of their partnership, focused on enhancing donor liquidity. The US$1 billion Rapid Financing Facility will allow Gavi to quickly access funds in response to new donor pledges for pandemic response or routine immunization efforts. This mechanism addresses critical lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly regarding delays in accessing finance that hindered timely vaccine access for vulnerable populations.

CEO of Gavi, Dr. Sania Nishtar expressed gratitude for the European Commission’s strong support and President von der Leyen’s leadership in advancing global health outcomes. “We are also deeply grateful to the DFC for extending our partnership, which allows Gavi to immediately turn donor pledges into cash, thereby rapidly accelerating our ability to access vaccines in the future. Thanks to the European Commission and DFC, we remain on track to meet our target of protecting people, communities, and our entire world through immunisation,” she stated.

President Ursula von der Leyen emphasized the importance of vaccination for global health, saying, “A healthier world is a better world. And vaccination is one of our best chances for this. Right now, millions of children are still at risk. We must continue to support vaccination around the world to save lives. So today, I am proud to pledge €260 million for Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance. And more will come.”

DFC deputy CEO, Nisha Biswal highlighted the link between global health security and economic stability. “DFC investments in healthcare services, supply chains, and technology strengthen pandemic preparedness and health system resilience. Over the past several years, DFC has invested over $3 billion in health-related projects, helping more than 50 million patients access healthcare. With the new Surge Financing Initiative, the expanded Gavi liquidity facility, and investments in regional manufacturing, we will be able to do far more to expand access to life-saving healthcare products, especially during health emergencies,” she noted.

Gavi celebrated the strong political will demonstrated by Member States at UNGA 79’s high-level meeting on antimicrobial resistance (AMR), endorsing a historic Political Declaration. This declaration includes vital commitments such as aligning national AMR action plans with vaccination strategies, prioritizing prevention through immunisation, and referencing vaccines as essential for equitable and timely access.

Gavi is explicitly mentioned in the declaration as a key financing mechanism, alongside the World Bank and The Global Fund, encouraged to facilitate access to funding for critical interventions against AMR.

As part of its activities at UNGA 79, Gavi’s CEO, Dr. Sania Nishtar hosted the side event “The Future of Immunisation for Humanity: Unleashing the Potential of New Technologies to Reach the Unreached.” The event attracted participation from health ministers, agency heads, and leading innovators, discussing how technological advancements could effectively support reaching children who have not yet received vaccinations.

Additionally, Gavi co-hosted the “Healthier Future through Equitable Immunisation” side event with Rotary International, the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI), the Measles & Rubella Partnership (M&RP) and the Gates Foundation. This event facilitated dialogue among global, regional, and local actors to ensure that life-saving interventions reach those in need, highlighting the experiences of advocates and individuals affected by vaccine-preventable diseases, while honouring those dedicated to this critical work.

With renewed support and strategic partnerships, Gavi is well-positioned to continue its mission of improving global health outcomes through effective immunisation strategies, ensuring that no child is left unprotected.