Sania Nishtar, chief executive of public-private vaccine alliance Gavi, which helps vaccinate the world's poorest children against diseases. Photo: AFP/ Fabrice Coffrini
The World Bank Group says it is working with global vaccine alliance Gavi to strengthen financing for immunisation and primary healthcare systems, planning to mobilise at least US$2 billion in joint financing over the next five years.
The two organisations will also work together to advance vaccine manufacturing in Africa, as part of a World Bank goal to help countries reach 1.5 billion people with quality, affordable health services by 2030, the World Bank said.
Gavi is a public-private partnership that helps vaccinate more than half the world's poorest children against diseases.
"Our expanded collaboration with the World Bank Group reflects a longstanding joint effort to support countries, as they build robust and resilient health systems," said Gavi chief executive Sania Nishtar.
In June, US Health Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr said the United States would no longer contribute funding to Gavi, alleging the group ignored safety and calling on it to "justify the $8 billion that America has provided in funding since 2001".
In March, the Trump administration also indicated it planned to cut annual funding of about $300 million for Gavi, as part of a wider pullback from international aid.
In June, Gavi had more than $9 billion, less than a target of $11.9 billion, for its work during the next five years helping to immunise children.
Other donors, including Germany, Norway and the Gates Foundation, have pledged money this year for Gavi's future work.
- Reuters
