The reported decision by the US government to end support for Gavi is a vaccine alliance established 20 years ago to increase access to vaccines in the world’s poorest countries – with devastating consequences for children around the world, said the Borderless Doctor (MSF).
There is still space for progress, but since Gavi was founded in 2000, compensation for daily vaccinations for children has improved. Gavi is estimated to have saved the lives of 17 million children over the past 25 years. However, reported today in The New York Times, and Gavi’s own estimates, the loss of US support for Gavi is projected to refuse routine vaccinations of around 75 million children over the next five years.
For more than 50 years, MSF has vaccinated children living in some of the world’s most challenging areas, including war zones, refugee camps and rural areas. This decision puts these children at risk of being unprotected. MSF does not accept US government or GAVI funding and is not directly affected by program cuts or freezes, but more than half of the vaccines MSF uses in its projects come from the Department of Health and is sourced through Gavi.
“We are committed to providing a range of services to our customers,” said Dr. Carrie Techer, Chief Program Officer at MSF USA.
“The US government’s decision to end its support for GAVI has threatened to undermine progress over the past 25 years, making even more children around the world vulnerable to fatal preventable diseases such as measles, pneumonia and diphtheria.
“The outcome of this political decision is devastating.
“Vaccinations are one of the most important and cost-effective life-saving medical tools available. The US is one of Gavi’s biggest funders, accounting for around 13% of Gavi’s budget.
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“Support for Gavi unnecessarily hurts children and undermines health systems around the world that rely on Gavi for vaccines.
“Too many children are already missing out on regular vaccinations. Despite frequent routine and emergency vaccination efforts, children continue to get sick during the outbreak of preventable diseases such as difteria in Nigeria and measles in South Sudan.
“Vaccination coverage is only coming back to track after the disruptions related to the Covid-19 pandemic, and impairing vaccinations at this critical time proves catastrophic.
“What’s worse is the fact that the US has significantly reduced foreign aid, leaving many children who get sick with vaccine-preventable diseases than before.
“Resuming full funding for Gavi and other important health and humanitarian efforts is not just the right thing to do, it’s a wise investment in global stability and a healthy future for millions of children.”
