World leaders have pledged to pump well over EUR 7 billion into a new vaccine alliance amid fears over plummeting global immunisation rates.

Announced at the Global Summit: Health and Prosperity through Immunisation meeting in Brussels, world leaders pledged support for Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, leading to a total of more than EUR 7.7 billion secured against a targeted EUR 10.2 billion budget for its next five-year strategic period from 2026 to 2030.

The Summit also resulted in EUR 3.8 billion in complementary financing unlocked from development finance institutions, up to EUR 170.6 million in cost savings for Gavi-supported programmes announced by vaccine manufacturers – alongside other innovation and supply commitments that will further boost equitable access to critical vaccines, and a range of private sector partnerships aimed at transforming immunisation systems in lower income countries – including a EUR 34.1 million anchor commitment towards a new Innovation Scale-Up Fund.

Gavi said the commitments bring the organisation a major step closer to securing the resources it needs for Gavi 6.0, in which it hopes to protect 500 million children from preventable disease, averting between 8-9 million future deaths, protecting the world from deadly outbreaks of diseases such as cholera, mpox and Ebola through its vaccine stockpiles and unlocking EUR 85.3 billion in economic benefits for countries.

The Summit, co-hosted by the European Union, Gates Foundation, and Gavi, in partnership with Global Citizen, was attended by representatives of 55 donor and implementing countries – including 10 heads of state and government and 24 ministers – as well as leaders from multilateral institutions, civil society, private sector and vaccine industry.

Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission said: “Investing in health is investing in our shared future. Our work with Gavi saves lives. For over 20 years, we have stood side by side, with the European Union contributing over EUR 3.2 billion to vaccinate more than 1 billion children against deadly diseases. But millions still need this vital protection. Today, Team Europe is pledging more than EUR 2 billion. The EU remains committed to this mission so that children across the world are safer, healthier and stronger. This is global solidarity in action.”

With Gavi’s implementing countries expected to invest a record EUR 3.4 billion towards their immunisation programmes over the coming five years, the Summit had strong representation from leaders pledging support and political commitment towards Gavi’s model of sustainable co-financing and secure supply through a diversified manufacturing base, including increased manufacturing capacity in Africa. The Summit also saw enthusiastic engagement in discussions on reform of the global health architecture. Gavi, which is implementing its own transformative reform programme called the Gavi Leap, has offered to play a lead role in shaping a dialogue on how to evolve the current landscape so that it better serves countries, and to take proactive steps in forging closer collaboration with its partner agencies.

Leaders from all co-hosts of the Summit urged existing donors unable to pledge today as well as potential new donors to step forward to help Gavi reach its target of EUR 10.2 billion. Failure to fully fund Gavi will have significant consequences on the health and well-being of children in lower-income countries, as well as on global health security.

“ Today’s summit is a powerful reminder that global health security is a shared responsibility,” added António Costa, President of the European Council. “Immunisation is one of its strongest foundations. We have to ensure that every person, everywhere, has access to vaccines. The European Union is proud to stand at the forefront of this global effort, helping raise significant resources and forging innovative partnerships that will save lives, protect communities and promote prosperity. Through Gavi, we are investing not just in vaccines, but in the preparedness and resilience of health systems worldwide. Together with our partners, we are building a more secure and equitable global health architecture. The EU remains firm in its commitment to leaving no one behind.”

José Manuel Barroso, chair of the Board of Gavi said: “ Today is a good day for immunisation and a good day for global health. We have made impressive progress towards fully funding our next strategic period, secured vital access to finance for health systems investment and seen important progress that will shape vaccine markets and revolutionize last mile delivery. I want to thank all our donors and stakeholders that have stepped up to pledge towards a successful Gavi 2026-2030 period.”