November 29, 2006 – Berlin, Germany.  The GAVI Alliance Board approved US$200 million for procurement of both pneumococcal and rotavirus vaccines and the strategic and technical activities needed to support its uptake in countries. This is a historic achievement and a credit to GAVI’s willingness and ability to take bold steps and use innovative approaches to address global immunization challenges. The decision to fund pneumococcal vaccines was based on a careful review of an “investment case” prepared by PneumoADIP.  This “investment case” outlined the burden of disease, the cost-effectiveness and expected impact of vaccination, and the challenges and costs ahead.  A brief overview of the investment case was presented to the Board by Orin Levine, Executive Director, GAVI’s PneumoADIP at Johns Hopkins.  Click here to review the presentation.

In the past, 15 years or more have passed before new vaccines reached the children who need them the most.  With this step, GAVI has drastically reduced that gap.  With funding to 2010, this is an important first step, and one that should be applauded and celebrated.  There remains much work to be done as well.  More and sustained funding is still needed to assure a sustainable supply of appropriate vaccines at affordable prices.  With a sustained effort, GAVI and its partners can prevent nearly 4 million child deaths by 2025.

November 9, 2006 – London.  The Advance Market Commitment (AMC) is a market-based, results-driven approach to assure the development and scaling-up of new vaccines and affordable long-term pricing.  Recently, the Treasury Ministries of Canada, Italy, and the UK convened a day-long meeting of international donors to review the technical bases for an AMC and the rationale for using pneumococcal vaccines as a pilot.  Dr. Orin Levine, Executive Director, GAVI’s PneumoADIP at Johns Hopkins presented to the group on the burden of pneumococcal disease, the status of the vaccines, and the potential impact of a pneumococcal AMC on industry and health. 

The summary of this meeting highlights:
“The Working Group reviewed the technical, institutional and financial aspects of a pilot Advance Market Commitment for a Pneumococcal vaccine. The group considered the technical work on the pilot AMC to be significantly advanced and agreed that the critical challenge now is to secure the donor financial commitments necessary for a launch. A number of donors reiterated their commitment to launching a pilot early in 2007 and encouraged others to consider joining them. Discussions between potential donors will continue over coming weeks.”

For more information about AMC and working group meetings, including summary and presentations, visit: www.worldbank.org/amc

November 7, 2006 – London.  The International Financial Facility for Immunization (IFFIm) priced its first ever capital markets financing, a $1 billion 5-year benchmark bond. The issue represents not only a landmark in the history of multilateral development financings, but also in the capital markets playing an active role in accelerating the delivery of aid for immunization programs in the world’s poorest countries.  In a statement, Alan R. Gillespie, Chairman of IFFIm’s Boards, said, “We are extremely pleased that the transaction was received with great enthusiasm by such a diverse group of investors, enabling this new borrower to deliver cost-efficient financing for the much needed immunization programs.”

November 20, 2006 – London.  At the Association for Measurement and Evaluation of Communication (AMEC) Communication Effectiveness Awards ceremony, GAVI’s PneumoADIP won the Gold Award in the best use of Media Evaluation – Not-for-profit category.  In an effort to measure the impact of its communications efforts, PneumoADIP commissioned an independent firm to evaluate changes in media coverage of pneumococcal disease and vaccination and to relate those changes, if any, to its media outreach activities.  The evaluation showed that from 2003 to September 2005: (1) there was a 7-fold increase in pneumococcal disease and vaccination coverage, (2) developing countries were the focus of nearly 40% of all coverage, and (3) many of the spikes in coverage were closely linked to PneumoADIP outreach activities.  A second media evaluation is underway as part of PneumoADIP’s ongoing efforts for sharpening its communications and advocacy strategies.

The Merck Company Foundation is seeking grant applications from eligible organizations to expand the number of training Centers that are part of the Merck Vaccine Network-Africa. Grantees will be selected through a competitive Request for Applications (RFA) process.  Deadline: February 26, 2007
For more information about Merck Vaccine Network-Africa and to download application forms, visit: http://www.merck.com/cr/enabling_access/developing_world/vaccines/

For more immunization news and events, read GIN (Global Immunization News) available at:
http://www.gavialliance.org/Resources_Documents/gavi_updates/index.php

December 8-9th – DCVMN Annual Meeting, Bangkok. Angeline Nanni, PneumoADIP Director of Vaccine Supply and Financing, and Maria Knoll, Director of Vaccine Research, are scheduled to speak at the annual meeting of the Developing Country Vaccine Manufacturers Network.

Dec 13-16 – Sao Paolo, Brazil. The Second Regional Symposium on Pneumococcal Disease and Vaccines and the re-launch of PAHO’s pneumococcal surveillance network, SIREVA II.