New UK support will see millions of children vaccinated against
some of the world's deadliest diseases, Foreign Secretary announced today at Gavi's
global summit in Brussels.
The UK's new £1.25 billion pledge to Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance,
extends a close 25-year partnership which has helped to vaccinate
over one billion children globally against diseases like
meningitis, to prevent more than 18 million lives being lost, and
to improve countries economic prospects. Since 2000, when the UK
was a founding member, Gavi has generated $250 billion in
economic benefits through reduced death and disability. Gavi now
receives investment from 56 countries and over 60 organisations.
19 countries have graduated from Gavi support, including India
and Indonesia who have now become donors to Gavi.
Today's pledge will help Gavi in their mission to protect up to
500 million children between 2026-2030 and save up to eight
million more lives.
It will also have a positive impact at home, creating British
jobs and growth, through partnerships with health companies like
GSK, which employs about 14,000 people in the UK, as the
government delivers on its Plan for Change to boost economic
growth.
Gavi helps strengthen the UK's health security by preventing the
spread of dangerous infectious diseases before they reach our
borders. This reduces pressures on our hospitals and health
workers, enabling an NHS fit for the future.
UK Foreign Secretary, said:
"Gavi's global impact is undeniable. Over 1 billion children
vaccinated, over 18 million lives saved, over $250 billion
injected into the global economy.
“I'm immensely proud of the role the UK has played in reaching
these milestones. Our ongoing partnership with Gavi will give
millions of children a better start, save lives and protect us
all from the spread of deadly diseases.”
GSK is a leading supplier to Gavi, providing vaccines for
diseases like malaria and human papillomavirus (HPV). Their
partnership supports UK research, science and innovation.
Earlier this week, Minister for Development visited GSK's research
campus in Stevenage, alongside the Gavi CEO, Dr Sania Nishtar and
and GSK's President of Global Health, Deborah Waterhouse.
Together they discussed some of the world-leading research being
conducted by British scientists, including on new malaria and TB
vaccines.
UK Minister for Development, said:
“Our modern approach to development means focussing on where we
can have the biggest impact, and on areas the UK can lead. We
must ensure every pound delivers for the UK taxpayer and the
people we support.
"Our partnership with Gavi does just that. It will save the lives
of millions of children around the world, to grow up safe from
deadly diseases like cholera and measles. And it will make the
world and the UK healthier and safer, helping prevent future
pandemics.
“It is partnership based on the UK's world-leading expertise, not
just money. By rolling out vaccines developed by British
scientists, Gavi puts our best brains and their innovations on
the world stage, and supports UK jobs and growth."
CEO of Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, Dr Sania Nishtar
said:
“The United Kingdom is one of Gavi's longest and most committed
partners. This pledge for our next strategic period reaffirms its
status as a leader in global health and I am delighted that we
will be able to count on its support in our next strategic
period, working together and leveraging some of the best in
British science and innovation as we save lives and fight
outbreaks around the world.”
ENDS
Notes to editors:
- Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, is a public-private partnership
that works to ensure 54 of the world's poorest countries have
affordable access to life-saving vaccines.
- 60% of the global birth cohort live in Gavi-supported
countries. This means that Gavi helps protect nearly half the
world's children through vaccination.
- The UK is a leading investor in Gavi. In total, since 2000 we
have invested over £5 billion in Gavi, helping to vaccinate over
a billion children and save over 18 million lives.
- British scientists helped develop two malaria vaccines which
have the potential to save millions of lives. With UK support,
Gavi are helping to roll out the new vaccines in up to 25
countries by the end of 2025.
- The UK was a pioneer and continues to be a leading investor
in the International Financing Facility for Immunisation (IFFIm).
IFFIm generates predictable financing for Gavi by issuing bonds
on capital markets, which allows Gavi to frontload the
introduction of vaccines. 22% of Gavi's 1 billion immunisations
have been financed through IFFIm.
