Sierra Leone Secures US$60.97 Million Gavi Funding for Immunisation Through 2030
Sia Lucy Kannah Sierra Leone has secured a US$60.97 million funding allocation from Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, to strengthen childhood vaccination and support the country’s national immunisation strategy through 2030.
The funding, under Gavi’s 6.0 programme, is expected to support the expansion of routine immunisation services, including malaria vaccination and the introduction of the hepatitis B birth-dose vaccine.
The allocation comes as the Ministry of Health, led by Minister Dr Austin Demby, continues efforts to improve access to vaccines and protect children against preventable diseases. According to the information provided, Sierra Leone has maintained routine vaccination coverage above 90% over the past five years.
Part of the funding will support the expansion of malaria vaccination to Western Area Urban, extending coverage beyond the 15 other districts where the vaccine had previously been introduced. The expansion is projected to protect approximately 40,000 additional young children against malaria annually.
The funding will also support plans to introduce the hepatitis B birth-dose vaccine, with infants born in government health facilities expected to receive the vaccine within 24 hours of birth. The intervention aims to reduce mother-to-child transmission and prevent chronic hepatitis B infection.
To sustain the immunisation programme, the Government of Sierra Leone has reaffirmed its commitment to meeting its required co-financing obligations on schedule.
The funding is expected to strengthen the country’s vaccination programme and improve access to life-saving vaccines for children through 2030.