Gavi Secures $9 Billion Pledges Amid Funding Gap, UK Leads Donors

At the Global Summit on Health and Prosperity through Immunisation held in June 2025, world leaders pledged over US$9 billion for Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, to fund its 2026-2030 strategy, though this fell short of the US$11.9 billion target with more commitments expected. Gavi aims to protect 500 million children from preventable diseases and reduce millions of deaths, focusing particularly on increasing vaccine access in humanitarian settings where over half of unvaccinated children live. The UK emerged as the largest donor with a £1.25 billion pledge, and the Gates Foundation committed US$1.6 billion, while the United States announced it would halt funding, citing concerns over Gavi's approach to vaccine safety. Uganda highlighted its immunisation progress supported by Gavi, including high coverage rates and a large malaria vaccine rollout, urging sustained donor commitment to maintain gains. Médecins Sans Frontières also called for urgent action to address vaccine access gaps in conflict zones and remote areas, emphasizing the need for sufficient funding and political will. The UN Secretary-General reinforced the importance of investing in immunisation to combat misinformation and sustain global health security.