U.S. makes a historic pledge for global vaccines as Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance launches its new strategy
First Lady Dr. Jill Biden announced the Biden Administration’s at least $1.58 billion commitment over five years to support Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance’s new strategy to reach more kids with more lifesaving vaccines in less time.
Paris, France, June 20, 2024—Today at an event co-hosted by Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, the government of France, and the African Union, the First Lady Dr. Jill Biden announced a U.S. pledge of at least $1.58 billion over five years in support of global vaccines. This is the largest ever U.S. pledge made to Gavi since its creation in 2000. Alongside the U.S. announcement, Spain and other countries made new pledges as well.
“RESULTS applauds this historic and impactful pledge by the Biden Administration that makes a decisive commitment to child survival,” said Joanne Carter, Executive Director of RESULTS, who attended the event. “We thank the administration, our bipartisan allies in Congress, global partners, and our network of passionate volunteer advocates. This pledge is a critical step toward ending vaccine preventable diseases worldwide, which disproportionately end the lives of young children in poverty,” said Carter.
Gavi has supported immunization programs in 78 countries deeply affected by poverty. Over a billion children have received lifesaving vaccines, preventing 17.3 million deaths. At the event, Gavi introduced its newest 5-year strategy to reach more children with more vaccines in less time. Today was also a key step to launch the African Vaccine Manufacturing Accelerator (AVMA) — a mechanism that will support increased regional vaccine production and foster vaccine equity and independence across the African region.
“Vaccines are only as effective as their reach. They should be the right of every child, of every community. But right now, millions of the most impoverished and marginalized children receive no vaccines at all. Millions more have not received the full course of routine immunizations,” continued Carter. “This U.S. investment in Gavi comes at a pivotal time when we’re seeing dangerous spikes in diseases like measles, malaria, and cholera. We hope the tone of staunch support from the U.S., Spain, and others will inspire more donor governments to make bold commitments. RESULTS and its grassroots network also look forward to working with our congressional partners to continue to grow the U.S. investment to support rolling out new lifesaving tools like the new malaria vaccine,” said Carter.
Gavi’s work on vaccines has long had deep bipartisan support on Capitol Hill. This spring a group of bipartisan leaders in both the House and the Senate introduced new resolutions reaffirming the U.S. commitment and calling for bold action from donors globally. Earlier in the year, a bipartisan group of 138 members of the House of Representatives and 39 senators also called for a major scale up in U.S. annual funding.
###
Media Contact:
Laura Labarre, RESULTS
[email protected]
+1 202.783.4800 x139
About RESULTS and RESULTS Educational Fund:
RESULTS supports a movement of passionate, committed everyday people using their voices to influence political decisions that will bring an end to poverty. Volunteers and staff multiply their impact through the enormous power of advocacy.
Our movement of volunteers is backed by a staff of researchers, policy analysts, and legislative and media experts. Our shared goal is the end of poverty. We have affiliates and partners across five continents, and a network of volunteers in all 50 states and worldwide. We’re a non-partisan advocacy group comprised of RESULTS Educational Fund, a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization, and RESULTS, a nonprofit 501(c)4 grassroots lobbying organization.