Statements

The largest and most comprehensive study of childhood diarrhoea has confirmed rotavirus as the single biggest cause of diarrhoea-related death and illness in developing countries. This latest evidence suggests that a large number of children are dying from this vaccine-preventable pathogen, and supports the decision by the GAVI Alliance to prioritise rotavirus vaccines.

In response to statements issued by Medecins Sans Frontieres, the GAVI Alliance has issued the following statement.

Pneumonia and diarrhoea together account for nearly one-third of all under-five child deaths in developing countries. Evidence shows that children are dying from these preventable diseases because effective interventions are not reaching them or not provided equitably across all communities.

GAVI’s Transparency & Accountability Policy Team (TAP) has finalised its Audit of Health Systems Strengthening (HSS) in Sierra Leone and the findings have been officially communicated to the Government.

International Women's Day 2013 marks the beginning of a dramatic shift in the health of women and girls. Starting this year, GAVI is supporting the poorest countries of the world to roll out two vaccines that will directly benefit women and girls: human papillomavirus (HPV) against cervical cancer and rubella against 'German measles'.

The GAVI Alliance has been requested by Ms Zainab Hawa Bangura, a former Minister of Health of Sierra Leone, to clarify certain details of its on-going review of GAVI Health Systems Strengthening (HSS) funding support to Sierra Leone.

The GAVI Alliance joins the World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF and the Government of Nigeria in condemning attacks in Nigeria which have killed and injured health workers.

The GAVI Alliance appoints Simon Lamb as Managing Director of Internal Audit. He succeeds Cees Klumper who has joined the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.

Delegates at the United Nations Environment Programme recognise the safety of thiomersal – a mercury-based vaccine preservative – and the critical role it plays in global health - by excluding it from a treaty on the release of mercury into the environment.

In its first ever Multilateral Organisation Performance Assessment Network (MOPAN) review the GAVI Alliance has been commended for its effectiveness in increasing access to immunisation and for its focus on results.