http://www.gavialliance.org http://www.gavialliance.org http://www.gavialliance.org Dr. Mercy Ahun, GAVI special representative in Geneva, sat down with Sojourners to discuss the role of faith-based organizations in helping reach those 250 million,and the role her own personal faith plays in her work. http%3a%2f%2fsojo.net%2fblogs%2f2013%2f05%2f03%2fsojo-stories-immunizing-250-million-children-2015 http%3a%2f%2fsojo.net%2fblogs%2f2013%2f05%2f03%2fsojo-stories-immunizing-250-million-children-2015 Sat, 04 May 2013 00:00:00 GMT In this week's Scrubbing Up, Dr Seth Berkley, CEO of the GAVI Alliance - which provides children in developing countries with access to vaccines - says there is a real danger such fears will trickle down into the developing world where lives are even more vulnerable. http%3a%2f%2fwww.bbc.co.uk%2fnews%2fhealth-22384788 http%3a%2f%2fwww.bbc.co.uk%2fnews%2fhealth-22384788 Fri, 03 May 2013 00:00:00 GMT The day India's health minister announced the country had been polio free for more than a year was one of the most memorable moments of Lokesh Gupta's life. http%3a%2f%2fwww.thenational.ae%2fnews%2fworld%2fsouth-asia%2findias-anti-polio-campaign-a-model-for-other-countries-to-follow http%3a%2f%2fwww.thenational.ae%2fnews%2fworld%2fsouth-asia%2findias-anti-polio-campaign-a-model-for-other-countries-to-follow Thu, 25 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT On Saturday, this beautiful country – devastated by earthquake and hurricane – will become the 14th GAVI-supported country to introduce life-saving rotavirus vaccines into its national immunization program joining four other GAVI countries in the Americas region: Bolivia, Guyana, Honduras and Nicaragua. The introduction of rotavirus vaccine is a tangible symbol of Haiti’s effort to rebuild and protect its children. http%3a%2f%2fwww.one.org%2fus%2f2013%2f04%2f25%2fhaiti-rebuilds-with-a-foundation-of-vaccines http%3a%2f%2fwww.one.org%2fus%2f2013%2f04%2f25%2fhaiti-rebuilds-with-a-foundation-of-vaccines Thu, 25 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT Immunisation lies at the heart of a global push to slash the number of deaths each year that occur as a result of preventable diseases. In this special report, we examine the power, the potential, and the price of vaccines in the 21st century. http%3a%2f%2fwww.philanthropyage.org%2f2013%2f04%2f24%2fthe-power-of-vaccines-2%2f http%3a%2f%2fwww.philanthropyage.org%2f2013%2f04%2f24%2fthe-power-of-vaccines-2%2f Wed, 24 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT The fact that millions of children under five still die of vaccine-preventable diseases like tetanus, diphtheria, rotavirus diarrhea and pneumococcal disease is profoundly unjust. The GAVI Alliance is committed to saving children’s lives and preventing disease by increasing access to immunization in developing countries. Since 2000, GAVI has prevented more than 5.5 million deaths from killer diseases – around 1.5 million of them in Member States of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). http%3a%2f%2fenglish.alarabiya.net%2fen%2f2013%2f04%2f23%2fEvery-child-deserves-a-healthy-start-in-life.html http%3a%2f%2fenglish.alarabiya.net%2fen%2f2013%2f04%2f23%2fEvery-child-deserves-a-healthy-start-in-life.html Tue, 23 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT World Immunization Week, which is being celebrated around the globe this week, is an important opportunity to highlight the power of immunisation in protecting children against life-threatening diseases, including rotavirus diarrhoea and pneumococcal disease, two of the leading child killers. http%3a%2f%2fguests.blogactiv.eu%2f2013%2f04%2f22%2fnew-vaccine-introductions-mark-world-immunization-week%2f http%3a%2f%2fguests.blogactiv.eu%2f2013%2f04%2f22%2fnew-vaccine-introductions-mark-world-immunization-week%2f Tue, 23 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT Haiti has recently introduced the pentavalent vaccine, a combination vaccine designed to protect children from five dangerous diseases. http%3a%2f%2fwww.who.int%2ffeatures%2f2013%2fhaiti_pentavalent_vaccine%2fen%2findex.html http%3a%2f%2fwww.who.int%2ffeatures%2f2013%2fhaiti_pentavalent_vaccine%2fen%2findex.html Mon, 22 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT The pneumococcal vaccine PCV10 was launched on 10 April in Mozambique by the Ministry of Health in partnership with UNICEF, the GAVI Alliance, the World Health Organization, the United States Agency for International Development, Save the Children, VillageReach and Fundação para Desenvolvimento da Comunidade. http%3a%2f%2fwww.unicef.org%2finfobycountry%2fmozambique_68834.html http%3a%2f%2fwww.unicef.org%2finfobycountry%2fmozambique_68834.html Mon, 22 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT Australia, which six years into a successful nationwide HPV vaccination campaign has experienced a sharp decline in the number of new cases of genital warts among young men and women. The country, one of the first to establish a nationally financed HPV vaccination program for girls and young women, has also seen a decrease in the number of cases of cervical abnormalities, a precursor to cervical cancer. http%3a%2f%2fwell.blogs.nytimes.com%2f2013%2f04%2f18%2fhpv-vaccine-showing-successes-in-australia%2f http%3a%2f%2fwell.blogs.nytimes.com%2f2013%2f04%2f18%2fhpv-vaccine-showing-successes-in-australia%2f Thu, 18 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT An Indian manufacturer has cut the price of a major vaccine for children. It means the cost of the vaccine -- that protects against five diseases -- will be available for a little more than a dollar per dose. The agreement was brokered by the GAVI Alliance. http%3a%2f%2fwww.voanews.com%2fcontent%2fvaccine-price-cut-18apr13%2f1644202.html http%3a%2f%2fwww.voanews.com%2fcontent%2fvaccine-price-cut-18apr13%2f1644202.html Thu, 18 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT The cost of vaccinating children with the pentavalent vaccine - a five-in-one formulation - is set to drop significantly following a deal between the GAVI Alliance and an Indian drug manufacturer that is reducing its price by 30 percent. http%3a%2f%2fwww.irinnews.org%2fReport%2f97873%2fIn-Brief-Major-price-cut-for-five-in-one-vaccines http%3a%2f%2fwww.irinnews.org%2fReport%2f97873%2fIn-Brief-Major-price-cut-for-five-in-one-vaccines Thu, 18 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT Twenty years ago, while working with the US Agency for International Development, I was charged with getting more Haemophilus Influenzae type B (Hib) vaccines to the poorest countries in the world. This vaccine had already saved so many kids in the United States and Europe that I was excited to help bring it to those who needed it most. http%3a%2f%2fwww.impatientoptimists.org%2fPosts%2f2013%2f04%2fUnique-Partnership-Breaks-Vicious-Cycle-and-Saves-Millions-of-Lives http%3a%2f%2fwww.impatientoptimists.org%2fPosts%2f2013%2f04%2fUnique-Partnership-Breaks-Vicious-Cycle-and-Saves-Millions-of-Lives Thu, 18 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT There is an urgent need to improve vaccination supplies and to better communicate the health benefits provided by vaccines, the United Nations World Health Organization (WHO) said today ahead of World Immunization Week, noting that up to 22 million children are not being immunized against preventable diseases. http%3a%2f%2fwww.un.org%2fapps%2fnews%2fstory.asp%3fNewsID%3d44692%26amp%3bCr%3dvaccin%26amp%3bCr1%3d%23.UXZ2qknHiRt http%3a%2f%2fwww.un.org%2fapps%2fnews%2fstory.asp%3fNewsID%3d44692%26amp%3bCr%3dvaccin%26amp%3bCr1%3d%23.UXZ2qknHiRt Thu, 18 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT If you want to know the value of vaccines, just spend some time in a clinic in Africa. The faces of the mothers and fathers say it all: vaccines prevent illness and save lives. http%3a%2f%2fwww.project-syndicate.org%2fcommentary%2fthe-long-term-economic-benefits-of-vaccination-by-seth-berkley http%3a%2f%2fwww.project-syndicate.org%2fcommentary%2fthe-long-term-economic-benefits-of-vaccination-by-seth-berkley Thu, 18 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation is now accepting nominations for the third annual Gates Vaccine Innovation Award. The award aims to recognize, celebrate, and spur transformative ideas for improving health through the delivery of vaccines. Nominations will be accepted through July 31, 2013. http%3a%2f%2fwww.noodls.com%2fview%2f7B42A7A69E3007A5F2916A9F5BFAB4061FB7477C%3f9798xxx1366249504 http%3a%2f%2fwww.noodls.com%2fview%2f7B42A7A69E3007A5F2916A9F5BFAB4061FB7477C%3f9798xxx1366249504 Wed, 17 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT The cost of immunizing children in developing countries with a five-in-one vaccine is set to fall after a deal by an Indian supplier to slash the price it charges the GAVI global vaccines group. http%3a%2f%2fwww.reuters.com%2farticle%2f2013%2f04%2f17%2fus-india-vaccine-idUSBRE93G18F20130417 http%3a%2f%2fwww.reuters.com%2farticle%2f2013%2f04%2f17%2fus-india-vaccine-idUSBRE93G18F20130417 Wed, 17 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT The UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the World Health Organization (WHO) have launched their Global Action Plan for Pneumonia and Diarrhoea, which aims to end preventable child deaths from these conditions by 2025. The launch was supported by the publication of a series of articles in the medical journal The Lancet showing that the tools to accomplish this goal already exist, and that the targets should be achievable at a reasonable cost. http%3a%2f%2fwww.irinnews.org%2fReport%2f97849%2fUN-makes-aggressive-push-to-reduce-child-mortality http%3a%2f%2fwww.irinnews.org%2fReport%2f97849%2fUN-makes-aggressive-push-to-reduce-child-mortality Mon, 15 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT Hundreds of leading scientists are urging the world to finish the job on polio, declaring that the disease has never been closer to eradication and endorsing a new global plan to wipe it out within six years. India has proved an inspiration. http%3a%2f%2fblogs.wsj.com%2findiarealtime%2f2013%2f04%2f13%2findias-great-polio-legacy%2f http%3a%2f%2fblogs.wsj.com%2findiarealtime%2f2013%2f04%2f13%2findias-great-polio-legacy%2f Sat, 13 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT Ask most people to name the two biggest causes of death among children, and they will most likely say malaria and HIV. In fact, it is pneumonia and diarrhea – the “forgotten killers” – that are responsible for the highest death toll, claiming more than two million of the most vulnerable lives every year. http%3a%2f%2fwww.project-syndicate.org%2fcommentary%2ftaking-the-fight-to-pneumonia-and-diarrhea-by-seth-berkley-1d35dc0146f86f3c1282a404 http%3a%2f%2fwww.project-syndicate.org%2fcommentary%2ftaking-the-fight-to-pneumonia-and-diarrhea-by-seth-berkley-1d35dc0146f86f3c1282a404 Fri, 12 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT The paralyzing viral scourge of polio could be eradicated worldwide by 2018, say hundreds of international scientists, doctors and experts, and on April 11, they collectively endorsed a new strategy to achieve that goal. http%3a%2f%2fwww.voanews.com%2fcontent%2fpolio-eradication-achievable-by-2018-experts-say%2f1639424.html http%3a%2f%2fwww.voanews.com%2fcontent%2fpolio-eradication-achievable-by-2018-experts-say%2f1639424.html Thu, 11 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT Child deaths from pneumonia and severe diarrhea, mainly among the poor in Africa and South Asia, could be virtually eliminated by 2025 under an "integrated" strategy that includes better sanitation and newer vaccines, U.N. agencies said on Friday. Funding would have to come from national health budgets, better use of existing funds and partners, including GAVI, a non-profit alliance that funds vaccination programs for low-income countries. http%3a%2f%2fwww.reuters.com%2farticle%2f2013%2f04%2f11%2fus-children-idUSBRE93A18M20130411 http%3a%2f%2fwww.reuters.com%2farticle%2f2013%2f04%2f11%2fus-children-idUSBRE93A18M20130411 Thu, 11 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT Five Japan-based pharmaceutical companies are forming a public-private partnership with the Japanese government to help developing countries fight infectious diseases. Called the Global Health Innovative Technology (GHIT), the fund will be composed of Takeda, Astellas, Daiichi-Sankyo, Eisai and Shionogi plus the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the Japanese government to develop medicine, vaccines and diagnostics for these countries. http%3a%2f%2fjapandailypress.com%2fjapanese-pharma-companies-to-help-medicine-research-in-developing-countries-0826592 http%3a%2f%2fjapandailypress.com%2fjapanese-pharma-companies-to-help-medicine-research-in-developing-countries-0826592 Mon, 08 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT Today - April 5th - marks 1000 days till the end of 2015. December 31, 2015 is also the symbolic deadline of the MDGs. The focus on the MDGs resulting in greater aid and domestic investments, as well as advances in trade and technology, has undoubtedly helped make the world a better place. For its part, Australian aid has played a significant role. A three year $200 million aid commitment made in 2011 to the GAVI Alliance will provide 7 million lifesaving child immunisations. http%3a%2f%2fwww.onlineopinion.com.au%2fview.asp%3farticle%3d14873 http%3a%2f%2fwww.onlineopinion.com.au%2fview.asp%3farticle%3d14873 Fri, 05 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT In a study slated to appear in The Journal of Pediatrics, researchers said there is no association between receiving "too many vaccines too soon" and autism, despite some fears among parents around the number of vaccines given both on a single day and over the first 2 years of life. http%3a%2f%2fwww.reuters.com%2farticle%2f2013%2f03%2f29%2fus-usa-health-autism-idUSBRE92S0GO20130329 http%3a%2f%2fwww.reuters.com%2farticle%2f2013%2f03%2f29%2fus-usa-health-autism-idUSBRE92S0GO20130329 Fri, 29 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT Every child, no matter where he or she is born, should have the opportunity and the right to a healthy life, and vaccines are one of the best ways to provide that. http%3a%2f%2fwww.heartfile.org%2fblog%2f1438 http%3a%2f%2fwww.heartfile.org%2fblog%2f1438 Wed, 27 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT This week more than 250 scientists, researchers, and Tuberculosis (TB) advocates from all over the world will gather in Cape Town, South Africa, at the Third Global Forum on TB Vaccines to share findings and look to the future of TB vaccine research and development. http%3a%2f%2fwww.impatientoptimists.org%2fPosts%2f2013%2f03%2fGlobal-TB-Scientists-Gather-in-Cape-TownSouth-Africa-plays-leading-role-in-the-development-of-new-TB-vaccines http%3a%2f%2fwww.impatientoptimists.org%2fPosts%2f2013%2f03%2fGlobal-TB-Scientists-Gather-in-Cape-TownSouth-Africa-plays-leading-role-in-the-development-of-new-TB-vaccines Tue, 26 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT Bill Gates said Tuesday that the world must commit to wiping out the remaining cases of polio and finally eradicate the disease despite squeezed aid budgets and violence plaguing vaccination efforts. http%3a%2f%2fwww.globalpost.com%2fdispatch%2fnews%2fafp%2f130326%2fgates-says-world-must-push-finally-eradicate-polio http%3a%2f%2fwww.globalpost.com%2fdispatch%2fnews%2fafp%2f130326%2fgates-says-world-must-push-finally-eradicate-polio Tue, 26 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT Sixty years after the first successful polio vaccine trial, the disease has been wiped out in much of the world, but violence, conspiracy theories and lack of cash keep it from disappearing. http%3a%2f%2fwww.france24.com%2fen%2f20130325-violence-vaccine-fears-keep-polio-disappearing http%3a%2f%2fwww.france24.com%2fen%2f20130325-violence-vaccine-fears-keep-polio-disappearing Mon, 25 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT It’s a universal truth that parents want what’s best for their children. Unfortunately, when a parent questions the value of vaccines, he puts his entire community at risk. But as I learned in India in 2008, this shared risk can sometimes be part of the solution. http%3a%2f%2fwww.impatientoptimists.org%2fPosts%2f2013%2f03%2fEradicating-polio-How-one-man-turned-around-his-view-on-vaccines http%3a%2f%2fwww.impatientoptimists.org%2fPosts%2f2013%2f03%2fEradicating-polio-How-one-man-turned-around-his-view-on-vaccines Thu, 21 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT Optimism over the new malaria vaccine being tested in Africa could be set to fall after results suggested its effect could reduce over time and that it disappears fastest in children who are most exposed to malarial mosquito bites. http%3a%2f%2fwww.guardian.co.uk%2fsociety%2f2013%2fmar%2f20%2fmalaria-vaccine-test-results-disappoint http%3a%2f%2fwww.guardian.co.uk%2fsociety%2f2013%2fmar%2f20%2fmalaria-vaccine-test-results-disappoint Wed, 20 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT Every night I go to bed knowing that the health of the children of Rwanda and of the world is better. This is what moves me forward every day. This week, I am very proud, because Rwanda was the first country in Africa to introduce the conjugate measles and rubella vaccine, thanks to GAVI’s support. http%3a%2f%2fwww.one.org%2fus%2f2013%2f03%2f19%2frwanda-rolls-out-fundamental-measles-and-rubella-vaccine%2f http%3a%2f%2fwww.one.org%2fus%2f2013%2f03%2f19%2frwanda-rolls-out-fundamental-measles-and-rubella-vaccine%2f Tue, 19 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT On Red Nose Day, we are reminded of the famine in Ethiopia that triggered the first Comic Relief, over 25 years ago. And as we reflect, we now know that the link between malnutrition and infectious disease makes for a particularly vicious circle. http%3a%2f%2fwww.guardian.co.uk%2fglobal-development-professionals-network%2f2013%2fmar%2f15%2fcomic-relief-vaccines-malnutrition-gavi-alliance http%3a%2f%2fwww.guardian.co.uk%2fglobal-development-professionals-network%2f2013%2fmar%2f15%2fcomic-relief-vaccines-malnutrition-gavi-alliance Fri, 15 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT There's something so genuine and heartwarming in sharing a laugh with a little boy or girl. People of all ages love to share their happiness. Laugh, and the whole world laughs with you. http%3a%2f%2fwww.huffingtonpost.co.uk%2fbill-roedy%2fcomic-relief-and-gavi_b_2867075.html http%3a%2f%2fwww.huffingtonpost.co.uk%2fbill-roedy%2fcomic-relief-and-gavi_b_2867075.html Wed, 13 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT Today, CEOs of IKEA UK along with GlaxoSmithKline, Vodafone Group, HarperCollins and a host of other FTSE 100 companies declared their support to UK's Prime Minister David Cameron, applauding his "decision to stick to the UK's commitment to overseas aid to the developing world, despite the tough economic times." Cameron's announced 2013 budget includes 0.7% for aid to countries in need. There have been major successes when it comes to aid provided by the UK to developing countries: 370 million children have been immunised in the world’s poorest countries through the GAVI Alliance. http%3a%2f%2fwww.impatientoptimists.org%2fPosts%2f2013%2f03%2fIKEA-Vodafone-CEOs-Announce-Support-for-LifeSaving-Aid http%3a%2f%2fwww.impatientoptimists.org%2fPosts%2f2013%2f03%2fIKEA-Vodafone-CEOs-Announce-Support-for-LifeSaving-Aid Mon, 11 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT A recently compiled list of Vaccine Influencers is making the rounds. It is dominated by the usual suspects such as heads of agencies and departments, including our own. So many others immediately to mind for us—those who have been just as valuable as influencers in ensuring access to vaccines for children globally. We would like to acknowledge some of these unsung heroes. http%3a%2f%2fwww.impatientoptimists.org%2fPosts%2f2013%2f03%2fUnsung-Vaccine-Heroes http%3a%2f%2fwww.impatientoptimists.org%2fPosts%2f2013%2f03%2fUnsung-Vaccine-Heroes Thu, 07 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT This past January in Geneva, a large conference center buzzed with the energy of negotiation and refinement. Inside each meeting room, a few hundred people from around the world sat or stood or huddled in clusters, reasoning and deliberating their way toward an international agreement on mercury use convened by the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP). Just a few days later, capping almost three years of negotiations marked by deep involvement from PATH and our partners, delegates from 140 countries approved the global treaty with language that protects the use of the vaccine preservative thimerosal and preserves global access to vaccines. http%3a%2f%2fwww.huffingtonpost.com%2fsteve-davis%2fa-winning-example-of-advo_b_2807534.html http%3a%2f%2fwww.huffingtonpost.com%2fsteve-davis%2fa-winning-example-of-advo_b_2807534.html Thu, 07 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT “Who said that: ‘Healthy citizens are the greatest asset any country can have’? It was Winston Churchill. But it could have been anyone with common sense. Because the ambitions of a society can only be realized through the ambitions of its people ― their energy, intelligence, education and vision. http%3a%2f%2fwww.unicef.org%2fmedia%2fmedia_68075.html http%3a%2f%2fwww.unicef.org%2fmedia%2fmedia_68075.html Thu, 07 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT Dagfinn Høybråten took over as Secretary General of the Nordic Council of Ministers on 4 March 2013. He replaces Halldór Ásgrímsson who steps down after six years. Høybråten takes on his new role with the ambition of developing and strengthening Nordic co-operation: There is potential for much great co-operation in the Nordic Region than we exploit today. As Secretary General I look forward to contributing to realising this potential. http%3a%2f%2fwww.norden.org%2fen%2fnews-and-events%2fnews%2fdagfinn-hoeybraaten-new-secretary-general-of-the-nordic-council-of-ministers-1 http%3a%2f%2fwww.norden.org%2fen%2fnews-and-events%2fnews%2fdagfinn-hoeybraaten-new-secretary-general-of-the-nordic-council-of-ministers-1 Wed, 06 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT It is time to take what we know about basic cancer prevention and care into the poorest countries. It is also time to rethink the way ahead for cancer research, so everybody benefits and money is not wasted on hugely expensive but ineffective treatments...The scientists call for cheaper versions of the HPV vaccine, against the virus which triggers most cervical cancer, to be developed and used across poor countries. And they want more research into vaccines against other cancer-causing viruses, like hepatitis C. http%3a%2f%2fwww.guardian.co.uk%2fsociety%2fsarah-boseley-global-health%2f2013%2fmar%2f06%2fcancer-health http%3a%2f%2fwww.guardian.co.uk%2fsociety%2fsarah-boseley-global-health%2f2013%2fmar%2f06%2fcancer-health Wed, 06 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT Five million Indian children were vaccinated with the five-in-one pentavalent shots in just over a year. Jammu and Kashmir became the sixth State to introduce the vaccines as part of the universal immunisation programme. http%3a%2f%2fwww.thehindu.com%2fsci-tech%2fhealth%2findia-takes-pentavalent-vaccine-to-5-million-children%2farticle4479713.ece http%3a%2f%2fwww.thehindu.com%2fsci-tech%2fhealth%2findia-takes-pentavalent-vaccine-to-5-million-children%2farticle4479713.ece Wed, 06 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT Top World Health Organization officials and Islamic leaders will meet in Egypt next week in an effort to stop attacks on polio workers, which are hampering the eradication of the virus in some countries with large Muslim populations. http%3a%2f%2fwww.reuters.com%2farticle%2f2013%2f03%2f01%2fus-polio-idUSBRE92005320130301 http%3a%2f%2fwww.reuters.com%2farticle%2f2013%2f03%2f01%2fus-polio-idUSBRE92005320130301 Fri, 01 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT Over the weekend I will be making my way to Botswana to participate in the global thematic consultation on health in the post 2015 development agenda. http%3a%2f%2fsethberkley.wordpress.com%2f2013%2f03%2f01%2fhow-is-health-linked-to-development%2f http%3a%2f%2fsethberkley.wordpress.com%2f2013%2f03%2f01%2fhow-is-health-linked-to-development%2f Fri, 01 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT Never before has the world been so close to eradicating polio, a terrible disease that can paralyze a person for a lifetime. Today, the disease only exists in a few reservoirs around the world. What will it take to finish the last mile? I believe the answer is two-fold: community led engagement and greater access. This is where the Red Cross Red Crescent can join forces with champions of the cause such as the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, UNICEF, WHO, GAVI, Rotary International and others to cross the line. http%3a%2f%2fwww.trust.org%2falertnet%2fnews%2feradicating-polio-the-last-mile-is-in-sight%2f http%3a%2f%2fwww.trust.org%2falertnet%2fnews%2feradicating-polio-the-last-mile-is-in-sight%2f Wed, 27 Feb 2013 00:00:00 GMT New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg has pledged $100 million to help the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and others to fight polio around the world. http%3a%2f%2fnews.yahoo.com%2fbloomberg-donating-100m-help-fight-polio-051615737--finance.html http%3a%2f%2fnews.yahoo.com%2fbloomberg-donating-100m-help-fight-polio-051615737--finance.html Tue, 26 Feb 2013 00:00:00 GMT Last week saw GAVI’s Matching Fund receive a new boost to its funding. The Dutch Postcode Lottery announced a €2.5 million donation to the fund, which will be matched by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation – translating into a €5 million injection. http%3a%2f%2fblogs.savethechildren.org.uk%2f2013%2f02%2fvaccines-for-all-new-injection-to-gavi-matching-fund%2f http%3a%2f%2fblogs.savethechildren.org.uk%2f2013%2f02%2fvaccines-for-all-new-injection-to-gavi-matching-fund%2f Mon, 25 Feb 2013 00:00:00 GMT Rwanda has been so successful at fighting measles that next month it will be the first country to get donor support to move to the next stage — fighting rubella too. Rwanda can do so “because they’ve done such a good job on measles,” said Christine McNab, a spokeswoman for the Measles and Rubella Initiative. M.R.I. helped pay for previous vaccination campaigns in the country and the GAVI Alliance is helping to finance the upcoming one. http%3a%2f%2fwww.nytimes.com%2f2013%2f02%2f26%2fhealth%2fafter-measles-success-rwanda-to-get-rubella-vaccine.html http%3a%2f%2fwww.nytimes.com%2f2013%2f02%2f26%2fhealth%2fafter-measles-success-rwanda-to-get-rubella-vaccine.html Mon, 25 Feb 2013 00:00:00 GMT The first ever largescale programme to vaccinate Kenyan girls aged 9-13 against cervical cancer will take off within the next few months. In a statement released by the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunisation, (GAVI), Kenya is among eight countries which will start receiving the highly subsidised vaccine for a free immunisation campaign. http%3a%2f%2fwww.standardmedia.co.ke%2f%3farticleID%3d2000077445 http%3a%2f%2fwww.standardmedia.co.ke%2f%3farticleID%3d2000077445 Sat, 16 Feb 2013 00:00:00 GMT Scientists have created new strains of polio intended to protect workers in factories that make polio vaccine. The new strains have the same ability to invoke an immune reaction as the live viruses now used to make vaccine do, but there is virtually no risk anyone will get polio if one of the new strains somehow escapes. http%3a%2f%2fwww.nytimes.com%2f2013%2f02%2f19%2fhealth%2fnew-polio-strains-that-protect-vaccine-factory-workers.html http%3a%2f%2fwww.nytimes.com%2f2013%2f02%2f19%2fhealth%2fnew-polio-strains-that-protect-vaccine-factory-workers.html Fri, 15 Feb 2013 00:00:00 GMT Moms get things done. Which is why the United Nations Foundation’s Shot@Life campaign brought 118 mothers — and two dads — to Washington, D.C. this week. Launched in 2012, Shot@Life promotes global vaccination as a way to decrease child mortality in the developing world. http%3a%2f%2fhealthland.time.com%2f2013%2f02%2f15%2fin-global-push-for-vaccination-moms-give-kids-a-shotlife%2f http%3a%2f%2fhealthland.time.com%2f2013%2f02%2f15%2fin-global-push-for-vaccination-moms-give-kids-a-shotlife%2f Fri, 15 Feb 2013 00:00:00 GMT