The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has announced a $1.6 billion commitment over the next five years to Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, aimed at expanding access to lifesaving vaccines for children in the world’s most vulnerable regions.
The pledge was made public on Tuesday via the foundation’s website.
“For the first time in decades, the number of children dying globally may increase rather than decrease due to deep cuts in foreign aid. That is a tragedy,” said Bill Gates, chair of the foundation. “Fully funding Gavi is the most impactful action we can take to stop that trend.”
The renewed support comes at a time of mounting global challenges, with international development programmes facing setbacks from shrinking budgets and shifting political priorities.
The foundation noted that years of stagnation in aid have been followed by sharp declines this year, threatening decades of progress in child health and survival.
“The legacy of our generation cannot be one of inaction while millions of children die from preventable causes,” Gates added. “We now have affordable, proven tools to save lives. Wealthy countries must fully fund organisations like Gavi and the Global Fund to ensure those tools reach those in need.”
This announcement comes ahead of the Global Summit on Health & Prosperity through Immunisation, being held June 25 in Brussels. Co-hosted by the European Union and the Gates Foundation, the summit is expected to draw world leaders who will announce fresh commitments to Gavi’s mission.
The Gates Foundation highlighted that early donor pledges reflect strong support for immunisation as a high-return investment and demonstrate global confidence in multilateral partnerships driving health progress.
Since its founding 25 years ago—with backing from the Gates Foundation and other partners—Gavi has helped cut child mortality in half. The alliance has immunised over 1.1 billion children in 78 low-income countries, preventing nearly 19 million deaths from diseases such as measles, pneumonia, and diarrhoea.
Despite this progress, one in five children still lack access to essential vaccines. The resurgence of preventable diseases—including measles and meningitis—is putting past health gains at risk.
