By Staff Reporter
The United Kingdom (UK) has pledged £1.25 billion to Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, reaffirming its position as a leading global investor in vaccinations aimed at protecting millions of children from life-threatening diseases between 2026 and 2030.
The announcement was made by Foreign Secretary David Lammy at Gavi’s global summit in Brussels, where he hailed the 25-year partnership between the UK and Gavi as a lifesaving collaboration that has vaccinated over 1 billion children and saved more than 18 million lives.
Gavi’s global impact is undeniable,” said Lammy. “Over 1 billion children vaccinated, over 18 million lives saved, over $250 billion injected into the global economy. I’m immensely proud of the role the UK has played in reaching these milestones. Our ongoing partnership with Gavi will give millions of children a better start, save lives and protect us all from the spread of deadly diseases.”
The new funding will help Gavi continue its mission to immunise up to 500 million children and potentially save 8 million lives over the next five years. Gavi’s work focuses on preventing diseases such as meningitis, measles, cholera, and other infectious diseases that disproportionately affect low-income countries.
Since its inception in 2000, with the UK as a founding member, Gavi has delivered enormous economic and health benefits. It is credited with generating $250 billion in economic gains through reduced mortality and disability, and has grown to include investments from 56 countries and over 60 organisations. Nineteen countries, including India and Indonesia, have graduated from Gavi’s support and have become donors in their own right.
Gavi also plays a strategic role in global and domestic health security. By preventing outbreaks before they cross borders, it eases pressure on national healthcare systems such as the UK’s NHS. It is also a pillar of the UK government’s Plan for Change, aimed at boosting growth through scientific innovation and job creation.
The commitment is expected to support UK-based industries, including pharmaceutical giant GSK, which employs around 14,000 people in the UK and is one of Gavi’s key vaccine suppliers. GSK produces vaccines for diseases like malaria and HPV, contributing to both public health and UK economic development.
Earlier this week, UK Minister for Development Jenny Chapman toured GSK’s research facilities in Stevenage alongside Gavi CEO Dr Sania Nishtar and GSK’s President of Global Health Deborah Waterhouse. The visit highlighted British-led research on malaria and tuberculosis vaccines.
Chapman emphasized the importance of focused, impactful investment. “Our modern approach to development means focusing on where we can have the biggest impact, and on areas the UK can lead. We must ensure every pound delivers for the UK taxpayer and the people we support,” she said.
“Our partnership with Gavi does just that. It will save the lives of millions of children around the world, and it will make the world and the UK healthier and safer, helping prevent future pandemics.”
Dr Sania Nishtar, CEO of Gavi, expressed gratitude for the UK’s long-standing support. “This pledge for our next strategic period reaffirms the UK’s status as a leader in global health,” she said. “I am delighted that we will be able to count on its support, working together and leveraging some of the best in British science and innovation as we save lives and fight outbreaks around the world.”
Deborah Waterhouse of GSK echoed the significance of the UK’s leadership in infectious disease research. “The UK’s world-class infectious disease research continues to inform our work at GSK… we welcome the UK government’s new pledge to Gavi, to help save up to 8 million lives by 2030 and get ahead of disease together,” she said.
