As global childhood immunisation efforts stall, Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, is calling for $9 billion in new funding to support its next five-year plan. The appeal comes at the Global Summit on Health & Prosperity through Immunisation, taking place today in Brussels.
The summit, co-hosted by the European Union and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, aims to address alarming new data showing that 2030 childhood immunisation targets are unlikely to be met, particularly in low- and middle-income countries.
A report published today in The Lancet by the University of Washington’s Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) reveals that only countries in the “high-income super region” are on track to meet the World Health Organization (WHO) target of halving zero-dose children—those who receive no routine vaccines—by 2030.
“Global immunisation goals for 2030 will not be met without targeted, equitable immunisation strategies,” said IHME in a media release.
The 2030 goal includes 90% coverage for life-course vaccines like diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis (DTaP), measles, and pneumococcal. As of now, only 18 of 204 countries have achieved this threshold.
In 2023, 15.7 million zero-dose children received no DTaP vaccines. Over half lived in just eight countries, with Nigeria (2.5 million) topping the list.
“Successful vaccination programmes are built on understanding people’s beliefs and expectations,” said lead author Dr. Emily Haeuser, urging culturally tailored solutions.
Gates Foundation pledges $1.6bn; Kennedy draws scrutiny
Ahead of the summit, the Gates Foundation committed $1.6 billion over five years to Gavi.
“The number of kids dying around the world may rise this year due to cuts in foreign aid. That is a tragedy,” said Bill Gates. “Fully funding Gavi is the most powerful step we can take.”
However, the United States—under the Trump administration since January—has reversed the Biden-era commitment of $1.58 billion. The 2026 U.S. budget contains no allocation for Gavi.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr., U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services, is expected to speak at the summit. His vaccine skepticism and decision to fire all members of the CDC Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) has caused national uproar.
The U.S. is currently battling its worst measles outbreak in 30 years, and Senator Bill Cassidy has urged that the newly formed ACIP panel’s meeting be postponed:
“This meeting should be delayed until the panel is fully staffed with more balanced representation,” he posted on X (Twitter).
Gavi’s lifesaving work hangs in the balance
Despite the political turbulence, Gavi remains one of the world’s most impactful health partnerships. Since 2000, the alliance has helped immunise more than 1 billion children and avert 17 million deaths.
“We are at a pivotal moment,” said Gavi CEO Dr. Sania Nishtar. “Without urgent, sustained support, the most vulnerable children will continue to be left behind.”
