The Global Health Advocacy Incubator and its partners have commended the Nigerian government for its political commitment and increased domestic financing for immunisation.

Reacting to Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance Annual Progress Report, Vandana Shah, vice-president of Health Systems Strengthening at GHAI, on Monday disclosed that the results demonstrated what can be achieved when countries take ownership of their immunisation programmes.

The report showed that vaccination programmes in lower-income countries supported by Gavi saved at least 1.7 million lives in 2024, the highest number ever recorded in a single year, an increase of 400,000 lives compared to 2023.

More than 72 million children were immunised in the year, and nearly 255 million dollars was allocated by countries through co-financing mechanisms.

Ms Shah said that Nigeria accounted for nearly one-third of that total, underscoring the country’s growing investment in vaccine financing.

She highlighted that GHAI’s partnership with the Vaccine Network for Disease Control, led by Chika Offor, has been instrumental in driving parliamentary and media advocacy for a first-line charge mechanism to ensure immunisation remains a long-term national priority.

“Nigeria’s leadership in mobilising domestic resources is a clear signal that sustainable financing is possible when political commitment aligns with community advocacy. This progress is vital to ensuring no child is left behind,” she said.

She also highlighted its impact in other African countries, including Kenya, where collaboration with HENNET Kenya and its leader Margaret Lubaale helped end a nationwide BCG vaccine stockout, securing KSh 500 million for procurement.

She said that in Madagascar, partnerships with HINA Plateforme, led by Eli Ramamonjisoa, prompted the mayor of Antananarivo to allocate municipal funds for routine immunisation, a first for the city.

She also announced the organisation’s expansion into seven new countries, Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Laos, Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Zambia, to reinforce the Gavi Leap Agenda, which promotes country self-reliance and sustained health impact.

Gavi’s 2024 progress, according to the report, also marked a historic milestone in malaria vaccination, with millions of children protected across 23 African countries, alongside major gains in fragile and conflict-affected regions such as Mali, Syria, and Haiti.

Global health leaders, including WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus and UNICEF executive director Catherine Russell, hailed the achievements as proof that progress on vaccination is possible even amid adversity.

GHAI reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to support local partnerships for sustainable immunisation financing across Africa.

(NAN)