GAVI to provide additional fund of US$ 162 mn to control measles outbreaks

To control and prevent measles outbreaks in developing countries, the GAVI Alliance will provide up to an additional US$ 162 million. This funding will help countries to bridge critical gaps in their efforts to build sustainable systems to control this deadly disease. GAVI will exceptionally make up to US$ 107 million available for measles control and prevention in six high-risk countries: Afghanistan, Chad, DR Congo, Ethiopia, Nigeria and Pakistan. A further US$ 55 million will be offered through the Measles & Rubella Initiative for rapid response vaccination campaigns in GAVI-eligible countries where outbreaks occur. Today’s decision by the GAVI Board tops a year of progress outlined in a report card reviewing developments since GAVI’s first pledging conference on 13 June 2011, at which donors pledged funding to immunise an additional 250 million children by 2015 to save four million lives. The increased measles support, between now and 2017, will strengthen routine immunisation systems...