Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance has initiated a $7.4bn fundraising drive to support the immunisation of 300 million children against 18 diseases, which could save up to eight million lives from 2021-25.

During the same period, governments of developing countries will invest $3.6bn into their vaccine programmes, which is an increase from $1.6bn in 2016-20.

Gavi’s first phase, starting in 2000, supported six vaccines. The support will increase to 18, including inactivated polio vaccine (IPV), rabies and multivalent meningococcal vaccines, by 2025.

The alliance also plans to fund a vaccine stockpile for Ebola after it secures the World Health Organization (WHO) prequalification.

Gavi’s upcoming phase will focus on childhood diseases and expansion of support for human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine to protect adolescents from cervical cancer.

Furthermore, it will increase stockpiles support for Ebola, cholera, yellow fever and meningitis vaccines.

The alliance aims to provide a total of more than 3.2 billion doses of vaccines to 55 eligible countries over 2021-25.

Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance CEO Dr Seth Berkley said: "Over the past two decades the Vaccine Alliance has helped to protect a generation against some of the world’s deadliest diseases.

"However, 1.5 million people are still dying every year from vaccine-preventable diseases, while climate change, conflict and urbanisation are combining to make it easier for outbreaks to spread. This calls for an urgent response to ensure people continue to be protected against disease, to prevent deadly outbreaks and to help the next generation prosper."

Since 2000, Gavi has aided in the immunisation of more than 760 million people, saving more than 13 million lives.

Moreover, the alliance will have assisted 18 countries transition out of Gavi support by 2020, enabling them to fund their vaccine programmes.

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