“Strengthening local health facilities to deliver essential health services like immunization is probably the most effective way to save children's lives,” says Norway's Minister for International Development, Ms. Hilde F. Johnson.
According to the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (GAVI), an umbrella group of governments, health organizations, vaccine manufacturers and scientist, about two million children die each year in poor countries from diphtheria, measles and hepatitis – diseases that are easily prevented by vaccinations.
“Our support to immunization via GAVI is an integral part of our overall commitment to attain the UN Millennium Development Goals,” says Johnson. The goals call for reducing childhood mortality by two-thirds by 2015. Norway has now pledged a total of $400 million (2.5 billion kroner) through 2010, while the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation is contributing $750 million.
“The Gates Foundation is by far the largest contributor, and is a good role model for the private sector. I really hope other private donors will be inspired by Bill Gates’ formidable contributions, and that GAVI can help stimulate contributions from additional private donors,” says Johnson.
“Supporting children’s immunization is undoubtedly the best investment we’ve ever made. In just five years, GAVI’s efforts have saved hundreds of thousands of children’s lives, and its work in the coming years will save millions more,” says Bill Gates. “But today’s commitments are only a down payment. Rich countries can and should increase immunization funding to give children in developing countries a better shot at a healthy life,” he says.
GAVI aims to get 90 percent of the world's poorest children vaccinated within ten years, which will require $8 billion to $12 billion in additional funds.