This archive report was first published on 10 September 2019.
Published on September 10, 2019, a global agency has unveiled a plan to boost vaccine supply in Kenya and other countries.
The Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunisation (Gavi) aims to increase the number of vaccines from six to 18 by 2025.
This expansion will enable Gavi to help Kenya procure rabies, multivalent meningococcal vaccines, yellow fever, cholera vaccines, and fund an Ebola vaccine stockpile once pre-qualified by the World Health Organisation.
As part of this initiative, Gavi has launched a fundraising drive targeting US$ 7.4 billion to support the plan.
The agency seeks to immunise an additional 300 million children in developing countries between 2021 and 2025, potentially saving up to eight million lives.
"Over the past two decades, the vaccine alliance has helped to protect a generation against some of the world's deadliest diseases," said Dr Seth Berkley, chief executive officer of Gavi.
Dr Berkley highlighted that 1.5 million people die annually from preventable diseases, while climate change, conflict, and urbanisation exacerbate the spread of outbreaks.
He noted that each dollar invested in immunisation yields a return of up to $54 in wider societal benefits.
"Children who are vaccinated are more likely to attend school, and their relatives are less likely to fall into poverty due to debilitating healthcare costs," Dr Berkley added.
Currently, Gavi supports Kenya's vaccine procurement through a co-financing model, where Kenya covers 10% of its vaccine budget (approximately Sh400 million) and Gavi pays the rest yearly.
