08 Jun Analysis: vaccine programmes come under the microscope
Sarah Boseley, Guardian.co.uk
Vaccination is a big success in poor countries. The Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunisation (GAVI) said it has prevented more than 5 million child deaths in the last decade and will prevent 4 million more by 2015.
But critics want to ensure limited funds are best used. Princeton University academic Donald Light objects to the lack of debate around Gavi’s vaccine funding strategy. “I think the taxpayers of affluent countries and their leaders should support saving poor children and reducing global poverty but this is a moment when they could critically review how that money is being spent,” he said. “The Gavi model depends on giving more and more money year after year to get vaccines to poor countries in ways that are not self-sustaining and at prices that are unaffordable.”