Sustainable financing for immunization refers to the sufficient and predictable allocation and use of resources to support the achievement of immunization goals within the framework of overall health financing. It is a global health issue of utmost concern that requires serious political attention and commitment from all countries. However, persistent challenges around sustainable financing for health remain across many low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) and low-income countries.
The Immunization Agenda 2030 (IA2030) agenda spells out four important focus areas needed for sustainable financing: (1) ensuring sufficient and predictable resources, (2) making optimal use of resources, (3) aligning partnerships, and (4) supporting sustainable transitions from external assistance. Yet, many countries continue to depend on donor funds for routine immunization, even in the post-pandemic period, without any action plan for the transition. For instance, many of the LMICs funded by Gavi are either in the preparatory or accelerated transition phase and, if that period ends, they will need to become fully self-financed.
A feasible opportunity is national health insurance, a health financing option that many countries are adopting to drive progress towards universal health coverage. With the concerted effort of crucial stakeholders, national health insurance can be galvanized to cofinance primary health care, most pertinently, immunization services, including vaccines. It is needed to rethink and begin to redesign the financing model for primary health care and immunization, especially in LMICs, in a manner that positions national health insurance as a potential important funding source.
Relevant Links/Information resources:
1) Adamu, A. A., Ndwandwe, D., Jalo, R. I., Muhammad, I. D., & Wiysonge, C. S. (2024). Cofinancing immunisation through national health insurance. Lancet, 403(10440), 1983–1984.
https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(24)00296-4
2) Adamu, A. A., Jalo, R. I., Muhammad, I. D., Essoh, T. A., Ndwandwe, D., & Wiysonge, C. S. (2024). Sustainable financing for vaccination towards advancing universal health coverage in the WHO African region: The strategic role of national health insurance. Human vaccines & immunotherapeutics, 20(1), 2320505.
https://doi.org/10.1080/21645515.2024.2320505
3) Amaechi, U. A., Nnaji, C. A., & WIysonge, C. S. (2023). Immunisation Agenda 2030: prioritising sustainable immunisation financing. Lancet (London, England), 402(10410), 1325. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(23)01167-4
4) Saxenian, H., Alkenbrack, S., Freitas Attaran, M., Barcarolo, J., Brenzel, L., Brooks, A., Ekeman, E., Griffiths, U. K., Rozario, S., Vande Maele, N., & Ranson, M. K. (2022). Sustainable financing for Immunization Agenda 2030. Vaccine, S0264-410X(22)01450-5. Advance online publication.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vaccine.2022.11.037
5) Sustainable financing for health
6) World leaders commit to redouble efforts towards universal health coverage by 2030
Content Editor: Tianyi Deng
Page Editor: Ziqi Liu
