Procuring supplies for children

GAVI

UNICEF Supply Division is responsible for procuring vaccines and devices for countries on behalf of GAVI (the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization), a broad partnership of public and private organizations. The GAVI Board approves country programmes based on a set of specific criteria: each country must have a gross national product per capita less than $1,000; a current coverage of diphtheria/tetanus/pertussis (DTP) vaccine greater than 50 per cent; a functioning Inter-Agency Co-ordinating Committee; a multi-year immunization plan; and an injection safety.

In 2008, procurement on behalf of GAVI rose by 35 per cent to over $309 million, delivered to 66 countries, primarily for new and under-used vaccines, specifically against Hepatitis B, Hib, and yellow fever in endemic countries.

In order to contribute to Vaccine Security in countries, UNICEF works with WHO, the GAVI Secretariat and countries to establish and update the vaccine forecast that is in used to project needs and ensure availability. In the 2004-2006 tender, Supply Division, with financial backing from the GAVI fund, established firm contracts for 44 percent of the total projected value of the GAVI supported vaccines and devices for 2004-2006. The firm contract has been valuable in ensuring the supply of combination vaccines during the tender period.

A new strategy was endorsed by the GAVI Board in 2005, which includes the procurement objectives of vaccine security as well as long-term affordability of vaccines for developing countries. This strategy will be implemented in partnership with Alliance members for the 2007-2009 tender. In addition, in response to the financing challenges faced by countries that have introduced new and/or under-used vaccines through GAVI, a bridge financing mechanism has been developed to extend GAVI support beyond the original approval period, in combination with the phasing in of recipient government contributions, in order to sustain the use of these vaccines.

More about GAVI (this link opens in a new window and will take you to a non-UNICEF website):
http://www.gavialliance.org