Immunization Financing in the COVID-19 Pandemic: Impact Brief

Key points

• To recover vaccination rates, expand access to new vaccines, and equip public health systems to address emerging infectious diseases, immunization programs require new financing. While most countries have managed to maintain baseline funding for routine national immunization programs, funding sources are strained by the current pandemic’s impact on health systems and the economy.
• Temporary emergency approaches to financing COVID-19 vaccination will be insufficient beyond shortterm needs. A more comprehensive vision and sustainable approach to immunization financing is needed to strengthen current program access and performance and to address existing and new public health needs.
• As countries allocate resources to roll-out COVID-19 vaccination programs, there is an opportunity to
  optimize the use of these resources and to move towards sustainable financing. Specifically, policymakers should:
  • Ensure short-term investments strengthen immunization systems and access overall.
  • Secure sustainable financing options to fortify immunization programs and ensure they can meet tomorrow’s public health needs.