Washington, D.C. – Earlier today, Dr. Rajiv Shah, Administrator of USAID, announced that the Obama Administration is committing $450 million over the next three years to the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (GAVI).  The announcement was made at a GAVI pledging conference in London.  It is a confirmation of the President’s commitment to the introduction of two new life-saving vaccines to help prevent pneumonia and diarrhea in infants and children in the world’s poorest places.

“In most parts of the world diarrhea is a nuisance. In Africa, it can be a death sentence,” said Bono, co-founder of ONE. “Too many kids are lacking the medicines we can find at any corner drug store. Vaccines are a global health game-changer. And today, President Obama has said he is in it to win it. Along with strong commitments from others, the goal of saving four million kids in the next few years is within reach. The UK’s David Cameron deserves great credit for leading this powerful effort. Vaccines are simple, powerful, cost-effective tools that can save millions of lives. It’s crazy just how much sense it makes.”

ONE and our two and a half million members have been strong advocates for the President to formalize this commitment.

“The U.S. pledge is lifesaving, results-focused, cost-effective, and the best of American leadership around the world,” said Sheila Nix, United States Executive Director of ONE.  “Initiatives from the last presidency and the current one are building a lasting bipartisan legacy of better health for the world’s poorest people. We look forward to working with Congress to ensure that, even as they make very difficult budget decisions, initiatives like this one are priorities.”