IMFIN brief 17: Immunization planning and the budget cycle

What are the main elements of the budget cycle, and what are the implications for immunization financing? When are the best times for advocates to engage in the budget process?

Key points

• Domestic public funding is the most important source of immunization financing, and immunization planning and financing must be considered as a part of the broader budget process.
• Understanding budget cycles and processes is crucial to finding opportunities and mitigating financial risks for immunization efforts.
• Existing planning tools can help with estimating costs, identifying sources of financing and resource gaps, and formulating arguments in favor of immunization investments.
• Standalone planning for immunization disconnected from the national budget can lead to fragmentation and budgeting problems and make it difficult to win support for immunization goals and build integrated processes.