The Vaccine Independence Initiative

The Vaccine Independence Initiative (VII) is a pre-financing solution managed by UNICEF that helps countries avoid situations in which a temporary cash delay might keep children from accessing essential supplies including, but not limited to, vaccines. This work also includes supporting countries to strengthen their capacities to plan procurement based on needs, as well as expanding the fiscal space allocated for the purchase of supplies for the well-being of children.

It is a tool to help countries minimize stock-outs of essential health supplies and ensure more children receive them on time. It helps countries bridge temporary short-term funding gaps, which might otherwise lead to supply shortages and stock-outs.

Since it began in 1991, millions of children have benefited from VII support to countries each year. Originally focused on vaccines, the VII has evolved to meet demand and now also supports procurement of other commodities such as medicines, bed nets, nutrition products and cold chain equipment. 

In 2023 the VII accelerated the procurement of essential health supplies, worth over US$200 million and including vaccines, nutrition products and health kits, for children in 32 countries.

How it works

The flexible credit terms of the VII allow governments to pay after delivery, as opposed to the UNICEF standard advance payment requirement. For example, it is possible for a country to plan and budget to procure vaccines for a campaign but experience cash flow delays. This can jeopardize the availability of the vaccines by the intended start date of the campaign. The VII can allow the procurement of the vaccines to proceed before UNICEF receives the purchase price for the commodities. This can accelerate the availability of supplies by several months, thereby enabling the vaccination campaign to proceed as planned. 

Eligibility 

Governments must have: 

• Sufficient budgetary resources available to purchase the essential health supplies procured with the support of the VII, although with some delay. 

• A Basic Cooperation Agreement or Memorandum of Understanding with UNICEF.  
   

For additional information and any questions, please contact: [email protected]