Maternal and Child Health Immunization Fact Sheet

Agency for International Development (USAID) plays a crucial role in supporting immunization efforts worldwide. Immunization is a central strategy to end preventable child and maternal deaths. USAID works closely with partners, including national governments, UNICEF, the World Health Organization, the GAVI Vaccine Alliance, and others, to extend access to life-saving vaccines. Strong support for GAVI and provision of technical assistance is one way USAID ensures children do not die from vaccine-preventable deaths. In addition to providing funds directly to GAVI, USAID provides complementary assistance to country implementers, predominantly through immunization systems strengthening, to strengthen local capacity to vaccinate effectively at public health scale. GAVI co-financing of new and underutilized vaccines (NUVI) and USAID support of immunization and health systems go hand in hand. The majority of GAVI support goes to purchase vaccines, while USAID technical aid supports the necessary systems improvements to deliver GAVI-financed and other vaccines to populations in need. Since 2009, USAID's flagship Maternal and Child Survival Program (MCSP) and its predecessor Maternal and Child Integrated Program (MCHIP) have contributed to new vaccines introductions. Technical assistance was provided for 17 GAVI proposals in 8 countries, supporting 10 countries to prepare for 26 new vaccine introductions. This involved upgrading the cold chain, developing learning materials, conducting technical training, revising and distributing management tools, and developing communications strategies and key messages. USAID also participated in 17 vaccine launches, conducting 12 post-introduction follow-up assessments and 10 post-introduction evaluations, and supporting 9 Expanded Program on Immunization reviews to identify opportunities for improvement. USAID flagship programs over the past 3 decades have built capacity to overcome barriers to immunization and effective use of vaccines and to improve the quality of services. Key areas of focus include vaccine and immunization financing, supply chain management, service delivery, demand generation and community partnerships, data for decision-making, leadership and accountability, surveillance, and operations research and application of appropriate technologies. USAID also strengthens national regulatory authorities to support national regulatory functions in countries. By addressing these critical areas, USAID helps to ensure that vaccines are safely stored, transported, and handled, and that all those who need vaccines have access to them.