Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance — a major global health partnership working to increase equitable access to lifesaving vaccines — has officially launched its most ambitious strategic plan yet for the 2026–2030 period, known as Phase-6 or “Gavi 6.0”. Approved by the alliance’s Board in June 2024, this strategy lays out a bold roadmap to dramatically expand immunisation coverage, strengthen health systems and protect vulnerable populations in lower-income countries around the world.
At its core, Phase-6 is driven by a mission to save lives and protect health through more equitable and sustainable use of vaccines. Over the next five years, the alliance aims to support the vaccination of over 500 million additional children and adolescents, potentially averting 8–9 million deaths by accelerating access to the widest and most innovative portfolio of vaccines ever offered through Gavi programmes.
Central to this strategy is a series of strategic goals and principles designed to ensure that immunisation efforts leave no one behind. Among these priorities are expanded access to life-saving vaccines, intensified efforts to reach “zero-dose” children (those who have never received basic vaccines), and support for integrated health services that bring immunisation together with broader primary healthcare efforts.
A major innovation in Gavi 6.0 is its emphasis on country-led and community-owned solutions. The strategy framework highlights the importance of tailoring interventions to each country’s unique context, with flexible support that addresses fragility, conflict and humanitarian settings while strengthening local capacity to deliver vaccines. This pivot towards locally anchored implementation marks a significant evolution from previous cycles.
Climate sensitivity and resilience are also embedded into the framework, reflecting how environmental changes influence health outcomes. Gavi’s planners recognise that climate impacts can shift disease patterns and exacerbate barriers to immunisation, particularly in vulnerable regions. By mainstreaming climate considerations into planning and investment decisions, the alliance hopes to build more resilient immunisation systems capable of withstanding future shocks.
In addition to its programmatic goals, Phase-6 also includes a comprehensive financing strategy. Gavi is seeking nearly $11.9 billion in new pledges from donor governments, private partners, and multilateral institutions to fully fund its goals during this period. At global pledging events, donors have already committed billions toward this target, but additional financing is still needed to scale programmes and reach ambitious immunisation targets.
This fundraising effort goes beyond traditional contributions: Gavi is working with innovative financing mechanisms such as long-term investment vehicles and expanded partnerships with development finance institutions. By tapping into new streams of capital, the alliance hopes to deliver more predictable and sustainable support that can withstand economic volatility and shifting global priorities.
Phase-6 also aligns with global frameworks like the Immunisation Agenda 2030 and the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, reinforcing the idea that expanding immunisation serves broader health and development objectives. By boosting coverage in low- and middle-income countries, Gavi’s strategy supports efforts to reduce child mortality, strengthen health security and promote equitable access to care worldwide.
Experts emphasise that success will depend not just on funding but also on collaboration with partners including the World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF, civil society organisations and the private sector. These partnerships are crucial for implementing vaccination campaigns, training health workers, improving cold chain infrastructure and ensuring that no community is overlooked.
As Gavi moves into its Phase-6 era, the global health community is watching closely. With ambitious targets and a more inclusive, adaptive model, the alliance hopes to accelerate progress against vaccine-preventable diseases and build resilient health systems that protect future generations. Time will tell how rapidly this strategy translates into on-the-ground impact, but its launch marks a decisive moment in the global fight for immunisation equity.
