IMFIN brief 19: Armenia, strong government support for immunization

What lessons can be drawn from Armenia’s high-performing immunization program, which has benefited from close collaboration between the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Finance, and the Standing Committee on Health Care, Maternity, and Childhood in Parliament?

Key points

• Armenia’s high-performing immunization program has benefited from close collaboration among the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Finance, and the Standing Committee on Health Care, Maternity, and Childhood in Parliament.
• The country has met 100% of its Gavi co-financing requirements and is on track to fully finance its immunization program starting in 2018.
• The Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Health have a working agreement that calls for funds for vaccines and injection supplies to be released in full by April of each year to ensure smooth procurement through UNICEF Supply Division.
• The two ministries have a working agreement that makes immunization a priority program and calls for the budget line for vaccines and injection supplies to be maintained even if other areas need to be cut.