This report aims to understand immunization financing flows in six Asian Pacific countries and how financing challenges can be addressed to maintain prioritization of immunization programs. Countries across Asia Pacific are facing new financing challenges in their immunization programs. Shifting economies, demographics, health outputs, and political settings can all affect public immunization programs, both positively and negatively. It is important to ensure that these programs are prioritized and maintained through these transitions. To better understand the balance that countries must make between the value of vaccination and the affordability of vaccination programs, thus allowing for fruitful engagement on immunization financing, it is critical for stakeholders to have a more holistic understanding of the immunization financing space. This report is written for all stakeholders, inclusive of academics, practitioners, policy makers, and private industry, interested in fortifying and protecting national immunization programs
(NIP).
Financing for immunization varies across Asia Pacific, from the number of vaccines included in national programs to the prioritization of funds to deliver these vaccines. National immunization programs vary greatly in size. In the set of six countries analyzed in this report, programs range from 8 to 14 antigens. Procurement of vaccines is only one part of program expenditures, however, and the size of the NIP does not always mirror the financial commitment of the country to prioritize and implement the program. In 2015 Indonesia dedicated 3.1% of its health budget to routine immunization while Vietnam budgeted only 0.5% to immunization (it must be noted that Vietnam reached 97% coverage of DTP3 with these funds, while Indonesia reached 81%). Absolute budget commitments to immunization programs in the region are increasing. However, per capita expenditures are stalled in low and lower-middle income countries. Financing gains must be protected and expanded across the region to continue increasing access to life-saving vaccines for all in Asia Pacific.
Our analysis revealed four distinct themes or drivers of immunization financing through in-depth examination of six countries within the region (Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam). These themes dictate how the public system sources financing, how it is prioritized and spent, and the decision-making processes that govern the programs.
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