title: Gavi's Transition Policy: Moving From Development Assistance To Domestic Financing Of Immunization Programs.
abstract: Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, was created in 2000 to accelerate the introduction of new and underused vaccines in lower-income countries. The period 2000-15 was marked by the rapid uptake of new vaccines in more than seventy countries eligible for Gavi support. To stay focused on the poorest countries, Gavi's support phases out after countries' gross national income per capita surpasses a set threshold, which requires governments to assume responsibility for the continued financing of vaccines introduced with Gavi support. Gavi's funding will end in the period 2016-20 for nineteen countries that have exceeded the eligibility threshold. To avoid disrupting lifesaving immunization programs and to ensure the long-term sustainable impact of Gavi's investments, it is vital that governments succeed in transitioning from development assistance to domestic financing of immunization programs. This article discusses some of the challenges facing countries currently transitioning out of Gavi support, how Gavi's policies have evolved to help manage the risks involved in this process, and the lessons learned from this experience.
authors: Judith Kallenberg (jkallenberg@gavi.org) is head of policy at Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, in Geneva, Switzerland.
authors: Judith
authors: J
authors: Kallenberg
authors: Wilson Mok is senior manager of price forecasting at Gavi.
authors: Wilson
authors: W
authors: Mok
authors: Robert Newman is Cambodia country director for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in Phnom Penh. At the time this work was conducted, he was managing director of policy and performance at Gavi.
authors: Robert
authors: R
authors: Newman
authors: Aurélia Nguyen is director of policy and market shaping at Gavi.
authors: Aurélia
authors: A
authors: Nguyen
authors: Theresa Ryckman is a program officer at the Results for Development Institute, in Washington, D.C.
authors: Theresa
authors: T
authors: Ryckman
authors: Helen Saxenian is a health economist and independent consultant in Bethesda, Maryland.
authors: Helen
authors: H
authors: Saxenian
authors: Paul Wilson is an assistant professor at the Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, in New York City.
authors: Paul
authors: P
authors: Wilson
mesh_terms: D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D003906:Developing Countries / Q000191:economics; D005378:Financial Support; D014943:Global Health / Q000191:economics / Q000639:trends; D006291:Health Policy; D006801:Humans; D007114:Immunization / Q000191:economics / Q000639:trends; D017589:Immunization Programs / Q000191:economics* / Q000639:trends; D007391:International Cooperation; D014612:Vaccines / Q000191:economics*
chemical_list: D014612:Vaccines
keywords: Development financing; Gavi; Sustainability; Transition policy; Vaccines