In a landmark moment for immunization advocacy, 21 Members of Parliament from Africa and Asia gathered in Istanbul last week ahead of world immunization week to champion sustainable domestic financing for immunization.
The two day forum which was held by a Global Health Advocacy Incubator (GHAI) with support from Gavi, the vaccine alliance saw a bold new declaration from the parliamentarians which is poised to transform immunization efforts across continents.
The conference featured change makers from Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Kenya, Laos, Liberia, Madagascar, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, and Zambia. Among them were health committee chairs, leaders of parliamentary immunization caucuses, and influential advocates with the capacity to drive real change within their governments by shaping national priorities, budgets and policies.
Vandana Shah, Vice President of Health Systems Strengthening at GHAI said the gathering was a powerful convergence bound to drive change.
“These parliamentary leaders are demanding that their governments prioritize domestic immunization funding to reach every child, eliminate zero-dose children, and safeguard both public health and global security.”
The Istanbul forum came at an opportune time as countries like Kenya are in the transition period from Gavi by 2029 and the government needs reprioritize immunization funding. Currently, Kenya has a co-financing agreement with Gavi, the vaccine Alliance that is yet to be met. The country needs Kshs 1.2 billion to be paid by 30th June 2025.
Gavi,the vaccine Alliance has played a major role in global immunization, immunizing children has led to the reduction of child mortality by half by immunizing over 1.1 billion children and saving 18 million lives since the year 2000. Overall Vaccines are responsible for saving 154 million lives in the last 50 years that is 6 lives every minute.
At the declaration in Istanbul Gavi urged international partners and donors to maintain strong investment in immunization efforts to help them raise $9 billion which is projected to save even more with a target of 500 million more children protected by 2030.
The Istanbul Call to Action issued by the MPs includes four key demands including the swift adoption of policies that mobilize domestic resources for immunization and primary health care, the fulfillment of Gavi co-financing obligations to maintain program continuity, establishment of transparent, long-term financing mechanisms to strengthen country ownership and the support for regional vaccine manufacturing initiatives to build supply chain resilience.
Hon. Christopher Kang’ombe, Chair of the Health Committee at Zambia’s National Assembly highlighted the importance of sustaining immunization gains, making concrete commitments on behalf of Zambia. “How do we ensure that children grow into healthy adults? We obviously have to safeguard their growth, and vaccination is key to that.”
In Madagascar, members of parliament announced their intention to form a specific caucus focused on immunization funding. In Liberia, legislators committed to setting up a similar caucus, with Hon. Dabah N. Varpilah, Chair of the Senate Health Committee, expressing “full support” for securing domestic resources for vaccines.
In Laos, Prof. Mayfong Mayxay outlined a strategy to work with civil society organizations to address a $700,000 co-financing deficit in 2025 by creating a Vaccine Trust Fund.
From Ghana to Kenya, lawmakers affirmed a collective resolve: immunization should be regarded not only as a health imperative but also as a fundamental element of national development.
The Istanbul call to action underscores the vital role CSOs play in advocating for health priorities and the urgency of funding immunization programs to keep past gains and secure a healthier, more resilient future for all.
