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USAID Administrator Dr Rajiv Shah.
Geneva, 15 February 2011 - In a major address at the US National Institutes of Health (NIH), USAID Administrator Dr. Rajiv Shah has noted the transformative public health impact of vaccines over the past decade and the potential of new immunisations against pneumococcal disease and the rotavirus to save 4 million lives and achieve a new breakthrough in global health and development.
Presenting the David E. Barmes Global Health Lecture, Dr. Shah described vaccines as "the best public health investment we can make" as he presented the U.S. Agency for International Development's global health priorities and new initiatives.
We will focus on one of the best lifesaving investments USAID has ever made: the first public funding of GAVI. Rajiv Shah, USAID Administrator |
These include increasing the capacity of the Agency to search for innovative solutions to the challenge to deliver new health technologies to poor communities more quickly and at an affordable price, such as the Advance Market Commitment (AMC).
GAVI
Shah also praised GAVI as a proven mechanism and pledged to increase support in response to its financing needs and first ever replenishment.
"We will focus on one of the best lifesaving investments USAID has ever made: the first public funding of GAVI, the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization," said Administrator Shah. "That initial investment has led to the prevention of more than 5 million childhood deaths, a mammoth return on investment by any account. We will expand our support of GAVI and help it address its current funding shortfall."