Gates Foundation commits $1.6 billion to Gavi over five years

The Gates Foundation has announced a five-year, $1.6 billion commitment to Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance in support of its global vaccination work.

The commitment is a renewal of a longstanding partnership between the organizations as well as a response to the declining budgets of international development organizations and shifting political priorities. The announcement coincides with the Global Summit: Health & Prosperity through Immunisation, a Gavi pledging event in Brussels, co-hosted by the European Union and the Gates Foundation. Since its launch 25 years ago—with support from the Gates Foundation—Gavi has helped cut child mortality in half around the world and vaccinated more than 1.1 billion children across 78 low-income countries.

The foundation’s commitment comes on the heels of its announcement that it will spend down its endowment in 20 years.

“For the first time in decades, the number of kids dying around the world will likely go up this year instead of down because of massive cuts to foreign aid. That is a tragedy,” warned foundation chair Bill Gates. “Fully funding Gavi is the single most powerful step we can take to stop it.”