 "Dr Seth Berkley (left), CEO, Gavi, with PM Narendra Modi")
Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, the global NGO focusing on increasing access to immunisation in poor countries, plans to increase its engagement in India and will enhance its funding support to $ 500 million for various vaccination programs in the country. During his recent visit to the country, Dr Seth Berkley, chief executive officer of Gavi, met Prime Minister Narendra Modi to discuss various issues relating to the health sector, innovation in vaccines and implementation of childhood immunisation in India.
Dr Berkley discussed Gavi’s proposed new strategic partnership with India for 2016-2021 with the PM during the meeting. “This will see Gavi provide additional support of up to US$ 500 million to accelerate the introduction of modern and highly effective childhood vaccines for all children in India – a vital step for improving coverage and equity. The partnership will help fund India’s forthcoming rollout of vaccines that will protect children against causes of the biggest childhood killers, pneumonia and diarrhoea, as well as vaccines against measles-rubella and human papillomavirus,” said Gavi in a press statement.
Dr Berkley welcomed this exciting opportunity for positive change for the children of India, but stressed that the support of the Vaccine Alliance can only be scaled up sustainably if future funding from India is made available. “Together we can reach every child and create a healthier future for generations of Indians to come,” Dr Berkley said.
Modi and Dr Berkley also discussed market dynamics including India’s commitment to the long-term supply of vaccines for the poorest children, both nationally and globally, and its role in obtaining the lowest possible vaccines’ prices. Dr Berkley talked of the benefits of Gavi and India, two of the largest consumers of vaccines in the world, working closely together in the procurement of vaccines to help drive down prices and create vaccine supply security. They also emphasised the importance of assuring quality.
Appreciating government initiatives, such as Mission Indradhanush and Make in India, both of which are improving childhood immunisation in India, Dr Berkley explained how such innovation and technology could also help transform the often aging supply chains in Gavi-supported countries. One option they discussed was to explore new ways to finance and incentivise private companies to engage them in this work. “Such technological assistance will not only help position India as a market leader in cold chain equipment, but also massively help to improve coverage and equity in the world,” said Dr Berkley.
