Day of the Child: 250 Million Kids to Receive Lifesaving Immunization

	Source: ONE/Morgana Wingard

June 13, 2011, marked a major milestone in global health, with donors and groups committing funding to immunize more than 250 million of the world’s poorest children against life-threatening diseases by 2015 and prevent more than 4 million premature deaths. At the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (GAVI) pledging conference on June 13, 2011, the United States committed $450 million over three years,* leveraging the billions of dollars committed from other donors to expand coverage of immunization programs and accelerate the introduction of new vaccines. “Not only is our commitment inspiring the generosity of other donors, it helps ensure the quantities of vaccine needed to obtain lower prices, allowing us to save even more lives,” said USAID Administrator Dr. Rajiv Shah.

*subject to congressional appropriation

Additional Information

• United States Pledges Multi-Year Contribution to Reduce Immunization Cost; Save More Children's Lives – 06/13/11
  Read the statement by Dr. Rajiv Shah, Administrator of USAID, announcing an increased U.S. commitment to GAVI.
  
  
• Video of USAID Administrator Dr. Shah at the GAVI Conference – 06/13/11
  
  
• Read the IMPACTblog post Day of the Child: 250 Million Kids to Receive Life-Saving Immunization.
  
  
• Building on Vaccine Achievements, Agency and Partners Ramp Up to Immunize 4 Million – May 2011
  Decades ago, USAID and other U.S. Government health agencies and international health organizations were behind the global program to eliminate smallpox and bring the power of lifesaving vaccines to millions of the world's poor. Today, the Agency is continuing to strengthen vaccination programs and is supporting scientists and researchers who are trying to find the latest miracle shot that will eradicate today's most burdensome diseases.
  
  
• Tempering Fear When the Winds Blow – May 2011
  In 25 "meningitis belt" countries, as many as 450 million people are at risk of brain damage, profound hearing loss, learning problems, or death from the deadly disease. But 10 years ago, after a serious epidemic sparked a wake-up call, health leaders, vaccine manufacturers and scientists brought together by the World Health Organization determined it was a priority to develop a new conjugate vaccine to fight epidemic meningitis in Africa. This story shows how the global health community united on a decade-long quest to find an affordable, effective vaccine. Last December, people in three meningitis-prone countries began receiving the vaccine. Early results look very promising.
  
  
• Learn more about USAID work with HIV vaccines in Pathways of Discovery: HIV Vaccine Research and Development.
  
  
• USAID Welcomes Announcement of Lower Prices for Life-Saving Vaccines – 06/07/11
  Read the statement by Dr. Rajiv Shah, Administrator of USAID, regarding commitments received from vaccine manufacturers to reduce the prices of life-saving vaccines.
  
  
• Administrator Shah Delivers Barmes Lecture – 02/15/11
  On February 15, 2011, Administrator Shah delivered the David E. Barmes Global Health Lecture at the National Institutes of Health. Dr. Shah discussed successes over the years and charted a course forward for President Obama’s Global Health Initiative, saying the most transformative new breakthroughs we have at our disposal are in fact, vaccines.