Vaccine alliance in USD 7.4bn funding push
Gavi the Vaccine Alliance is seeking the funds to cover more vaccines, including plans to stockpile the forthcoming Ebola vaccine. Inga Vesper from SciDevNet explores what this funding push could mean for improving access to vaccines.
Gavi purchases vaccines in large volumes on behalf of developing country governments. By pooling the orders, Gavi can negotiate lower prices.
In addition to pricing, there are other barriers that prevent people from being vaccinated. For example, Jayasree Iyer, Executive Director of the Access to Medicine Foundation, is quoted in the article in saying that local doctors need support to build up confidence among girls and encourage them to get the HPV vaccine. HPV is a sexually transmitted virus and vaccination is often stigmatised.
“It is important to look out for cultural differences of girls getting treatment in different geographies,” Jayasree told SciDev.Net. “This will improve mileage of how vaccines are trusted, because trust is very important.”