The European Commission announced a new funding pledge on 28 September of €260 million to Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, for the years 2026–2027. The funds will contribute to Gavi’s goal for 2030 to help protect 500 million children around the world, strengthen immunisation systems, and boost global health security by increasing readiness to respond to disease outbreaks.
President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen said: ‘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 euros for Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance. And more will come.’
Chair of the Board of Gavi, José Manuel Barroso, said: ‘Immunisation is a cornerstone of health security and vital to global equity. We deeply appreciate the EU’s leadership, its partnership with Gavi supported countries matching their investment in vaccine costs, and enhanced commitment to Gavi’s mission which contributes to a safer, healthier world for all.’
In 2020, the EU pledged Gavi €300 million for the period 2021–2025. This pledge of €260 million concerns the first 2 years of Gavi’s next strategic cycle which coincide with the last 2 years of the EU’s current Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) 2021–2027. The Commission will remain committed to a high level of ambition in supporting GAVI when designing its proposal for the next MFF. This will complement strong support to Gavi from EU Member States in a Team Europe approach.
President von der Leyen also pledged €213 million in additional humanitarian aid for Africa, Afghanistan, Palestinians and Venezuela. The funding – currently subject to the approval of the Budgetary Authority – will contribute also to the fight against food insecurity in these regions. Of this total amount, €69 million will be allocated to Sudan and its neighbouring countries, in response to the dire humanitarian consequences of the Sudan war.
Background
Since 2003, the European Union has been providing increasing financial and political support to Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, a non-profit global public-private partnership, as it works with partner countries to build up immunisation systems and increase equitable access to essential health products and primary healthcare services in poor countries. ‘Team Europe’ also plays a leading role in shaping Gavi’s strategic direction and policymaking through participation in its Board.
Between 2000 and 2022, Gavi helped vaccinate more than 1 billion children in close partnership with 78 lower-income countries, saving over 17 million lives. Today, a child born in a Gavi-supported country is 70% less likely to die from a vaccine-preventable disease before their fifth birthday than in 2000.In its next strategic cycle 2026–2030, Gavi aims to protect at least 500 million children, saving over 8 million and bring vaccines against 24 different diseases to the poorest countries in the world.
For example, Gavi aims to protect over 50 million children against malaria, one of the world’s biggest killers of children under five; introduce a vaccine against dengue; and expand preventive campaigns and vaccine stockpiles against diseases like cholera and yellow fever. Gavi also intends to vaccinate over 120 million girls against the human papillomavirus (HPV) to help eliminate cervical cancer.
During the next cycle, Gavi will strengthen its role in global health security, investing in emergency stockpiles and expanding vaccine programmes to prevent outbreak-prone diseases at source. It will intensify its market shaping work and help secure access to vaccines for the poorest countries in a possible future health crisis. Gavi will also work with regional partners to build resilience in local manufacturing.
The European Union’s initial humanitarian aid budget for 2024 of €1.8 billion aims at alleviating the suffering of the more than 300 million people in need of aid around the world. Subject to the approval of the Budget Authority, these additional top ups are allocated as follows:
- Africa – food insecurity: €41 million
- Sudan crisis and its spillover effects on neighbouring countries: €69 million
- Afghanistan – food insecurity: €40 million
- Palestinians: €45 million
- Venezuela: €18 million
