Statement on Senate Resolution 684 in Support of Gavi

The Shot@Life campaign applauds the introduction of Senate Resolution 684 in support of Gavi’s critical work expanding access to vaccines around the world, and thanks Senator Roger Wicker (R-MS), Ranking Member of the Armed Services Committee, and Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD), Chair of the Foreign Relations Committee, for their leadership on this issue. 

Since its inception in 2000, Gavi investments have helped countries vaccine more than one billion children, preventing more than 17 million deaths while strengthening the health systems of 78 countries. During this period, Gavi has expanded its vaccine portfolio from six diseases in 2000 to 19 today, including new vaccines against malaria. 

In addition to rolling out new vaccines at scale, Gavi has made catching up children who missed out on routine vaccines during the pandemic and increasing domestic vaccine manufacturing capacity on the African continent priorities for its next five-year strategic cycle. These initiatives will be critical to expanding vaccine access around the world and highlight the importance of continuing bipartisan support for Gavi. 

In a joint statement with Margaret Reilly McDonnell, Executive Director of United to Beat Malaria, Shot@Life Executive Director Martha Rebour said, “Since 2000, Gavi has vaccinated more than one billion children, protecting an entire generation from infectious diseases. Now, facing new challenges and armed with new innovations—including vaccines that can strengthen the fight against malaria and help save countless lives—Gavi needs the resources and support to continue its critical work. We applaud Senators Cardin and Wicker for their leadership on S. Res. 684 and look forward to working with Congress to continue robust bipartisan funding for Gavi.”