Vaccines returned $30 billion to poorer countries last year, Gavi says
The vaccine alliance says 73 million children were immunised in 2025, a record, and that countries paid a record $301 million towards their own vaccines.
Geneva — Vaccines supported by Gavi, the international vaccine alliance, produced more than $30 billion in economic benefits for lower-income countries in 2025, the organisation says. It is the highest annual figure in its history.
The estimate, published by Gavi itself, counts the value of illness, death and disability prevented and of healthcare costs avoided.
The 2025 figures
- More than 73 million children were immunised, a record for one year.
- More than 2.2 million future deaths were prevented, also a record.
- Lower-income countries paid a record $301 million towards Gavi-supported vaccines.
Countries paying more
Gavi says the countries it supports contributed as much in the last five years as in the previous 13 combined. Between 2026 and 2030 they are projected to fund nearly half the cost of their vaccines.
Over the five years to 2025, more than 351 million children were immunised against a target of 300 million, and more than 7.8 million future deaths were averted. Gavi puts the total since 2000 at more than 23 million deaths prevented.
"Return on investment extends far beyond health to supporting sustainable, inclusive economic growth," said its chief executive, Dr Sania Nishtar.
The next five years
For 2026 to 2030, Gavi's aim is to protect 500 million more children, prevent 8 to 9 million deaths and generate more than $100 billion in economic benefits.
The head of the World Health Organization, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, said the cost of failing to vaccinate was far too great.
This report is based on a statement by Gavi, published by AllAfrica.
