India to provide $1 mn worth free vaccines annually to GAVI for 4 years

India has assumed a leading role in the global commitment for vaccination and immunisation with an increased contribution to the GAVI Alliance for Vaccination and Immunization (GAVI), especially for the health of children.

The GAVI Alliance (formerly the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunisation) is a public-private global health partnership committed to increasing access to immunisation in poor countries.  A public-private global health partnership committed to increasing access to immunisation in poor countries, was launched on 29 January 2000.

The centre on Thursday signed an agreement with GAVI under which the country will contribute $1 million worth of vaccines per year for the four years from 2013-14 to 2016-17 (i.e. during 2013-14, 2014-15, 2015-16 and 2016-17).

Arvind Mayaram, secretary, department of economic affairs (DEA), ministry of finance, signed the contribution agreement to facilitate the transfer of the vaccines to GAVI in New Delhi on Thursday with Seth Berkley, CEO, GAVI.

Speaking on the occasion, Mayaram said India has a tradition of reaching out to needy and lending support to various activities carried out by different agencies / governments. He said that India gives aid internationally through loans and grants.

With its commitment to GAVI, he said, India will place itself as an important leading player towards global commitment for vaccination, and immunisation in particular, and health of children in general.

India supports multi-lateral institutions such as the GFATM and now GAVI in the health sector.  In India, GAVI's work includes the national roll-out of the pentavalent vaccine. GAVI has a 'humanities and social sciences  grant to India of $107 million.

GAVI is well known as an innovative health PPP, through its 'The Vaccine Bonds Programme (IFFI) and Matching Fund' that encourages business houses  to commit resources. It has helped to immunise 440 million children globally.