RBM statement of support to Gavi high-level pledging summit

Vaccines are a symbolic part of family life in low-income countries that bear the biggest brunt of malaria. Vaccine certificates, sometimes the first official document and identity that the child receives, even before their birth certificates are ready, are kept in the safest corners of the home. Wrapped protectively in layers of paper and tucked away until the next vaccination day. 

On vaccination day, mothers wear their best clothes, children are decked in floral clothes, hats and mittens. The best baby bedsheets and blankets will be pulled out to protect the baby as they travel through the hot sun or treacherous rains. On vaccination day, some fathers will take the day off from the fields, their business or employment to go with their wives and children to the health center, dutifully holding an umbrella over them with one hand while carrying the baby’s bag with the other. On vaccination day, women waiting in line at the health center exchange tales of motherhood with one recurrent theme: Our children are safer and will have a better life because we have brought them here for vaccination.

The global health leaders—donors, governments, vaccine manufacturers, civil society, the private sector, UN agencies—that gathered in Brussels today for the High level Gavi pledging summit cannot afford to let these families down. Hosted by the European Union and Gates Foundation, the summit aimed to raise US$ 9 billion to help protect 500 million children and save 8 million lives between 2026 and 2030. 

The theme of the summit, Health and prosperity through immunization underscored Gavi’s legacy of providing vaccines that have saved lives, spurred economic growth and given the people in low-income countries better health. Since 2000, Gavi has transformed global immunization, protecting over 1.1 billion children, saving 18.8 million lives and generating US$ 250 billion in economic benefits. Gavi has demonstrated that health is a strategic investment that not only saves lives but also drives national and global development—all while protecting people within and outside low-income countries from deadly diseases and epidemics.

The benefits of a successful replenishment would extend to malaria-endemic countries in unique and essential ways. In October 2021, the World Health Organization approved the first malaria vaccine, RTS,S for widespread use. Two years later, WHO approved a second malaria vaccine, Matrix-M. Malaria vaccines, when combined with other interventions such as using insecticide treated bed nets have shown effectiveness in the fight against malaria, including reducing child mortality. 

The vaccines reduce uncomplicated malaria by 40 percent, severe malaria by 30 percent and child mortality by 13 percent. To date, 19 African countries, where over 90 percent of malaria cases and deaths occur, have introduced the malaria vaccine in routine immunisation. In the face of threats to malaria progress, including unpredictable climate patterns that compound malaria, numerous conflict and health crises that are straining already limited resources for malaria interventions, anti-malarial drug and insecticide resistance, increased investment in vaccines against malaria and other diseases is a matter of urgency.

The journey of developing the vaccine against malaria, which started in the 1960s and saw a breakthrough in 2021 when the first malaria vaccine was approved, is testament that even the most complex global health challenges can be overcome with commitment and adequate financial investments. Alongside other new and traditional tools, vaccines remain an important tool in our unified Big Push to accelerate progress towards ending malaria. A successful Gavi replenishment would benefit vaccine development and deployment efforts, reduce the global disease burden and strengthen health systems to better handle emerging health needs.

A recent report by RBM partner, Malaria No More UK highlighted that malaria, which causes symptoms like fever and headache similar to other illnesses, can make it harder to detect other fevers and disease outbreaks. Some of these fevers may be from diseases that can be prevented by immunisation. Investing in vaccination helps reduce the disease burden on already struggling health systems on the African continent.

In Africa, malaria combines with other diseases that can be prevented by immunization to place children at risk of death. Globally, pneumonia, diarrhoea and malaria remain major causes of death among children under five. All these diseases are preventable by immunization. The Gavi replenishment is an opportunity for donors to invest in saving children’s lives while creating a safer and more prosperous world. 

Gavi reports that this cycle, implementing countries are contributing 46 percent towards vaccine costs. This is up from 10 percent a decade ago. Countries receiving vaccine support are doing their part, and the global health community must support them. 

Vaccination day is a special day in the lives of the people in low-income countries. Faced with many threats, including malaria, to the lives of their children for decades, many parents in developing countries know that ensuring that children get vaccinated is a matter of life and death. 

They show up diligently amidst several challenges, doing their part in protecting the health of their communities, nation and the globe. We cannot afford to let them down. These people are counting on us, and a successful Gavi replenishment will go a long way in enabling them and their children to live long healthy lives, where they can contribute meaningfully to their economies—helping strengthen national economies that in turn contribute to a stronger global economy. We must not forget that vaccination saves lives. Let’s do our part to ensure a successful Gavi replenishment.