EU pledges €260 million to Gavi for global vaccine expansion by 2027

The European Commission has announced a new funding pledge of €260 million to Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance. The commitment covers the first two years of Gavi’s next strategic cycle, from 2026 to 2027. President Ursula von der Leyen made the announcement as part of broader humanitarian support efforts. The €260 million will support Gavi’s plans to strengthen immunisation systems worldwide. It will also improve global health security by enhancing preparedness for disease outbreaks. Gavi intends to introduce a dengue vaccine and expand campaigns against cholera and yellow fever.

In addition, von der Leyen pledged €213 million in humanitarian aid for Africa, Afghanistan, Palestinians and Venezuela. Of this, €69 million will go to Sudan and neighbouring countries to address the humanitarian fallout from the ongoing conflict.

Gavi has already made significant progress since 2000. In partnership with 78 lower-income countries, it has vaccinated over 1 billion children and saved more than 17 million lives. For its 2026-2030 cycle, the alliance aims to protect at least 500 million children and save over 8 million lives. The new funding aligns with Gavi’s 2030 goal to safeguard 500 million children globally. It will help expand immunisation programmes and strengthen responses to health emergencies. The pledge also supports the EU’s existing financial framework through 2027.