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New and underused vaccines support (NVS)

GAVI provides support to developing countries to introduce the following vaccines and associated vaccine technology. GAVI's support aims to accelerate their uptake and to improve vaccine supply security.

GAVI only provides vaccines and associated injection equipment for infant vaccination to countries that meet the general conditions and specifications relating to the type of vaccine requested. GAVI sets these conditions to ensure that each vaccine is used only when it is justified by the relevant disease burden:

  • Hepatitis B vaccine is accepted for use in all GAVI-eligible countries. Vaccination of newborn infants within 24 hours of birth is about 90% effective in preventing transmission. A timely "birth dose" is advocated by WHO for all infants in high-risk countries. See WHO information for the effects of the disease.
  • Haemophilus influenzae type b vaccine (Hib) is now recommended for all routine infant immunisation programmes by WHO, which states that a lack of local surveillance data should not delay the introduction of the vaccine, especially in countries where regional evidence indicates a high burden of disease. See WHO information for the effects of the disease.
  • Yellow fever is accepted for use in Africa and the Americas, according to regional recommendations, regardless of DTP3 coverage. The GAVI Alliance will contribute to topping up existing government financial commitments to yellow fever vaccination, where it is already part of a routine immunisation programme and where yellow fever immunisation coverage is lower than that for measles. See WHO information for the effects of the disease.
  • Pneumococcal vaccine is accepted for use in all GAVI-eligible countries. Vaccine supply is currently limited, but it will increase as new manufacturers begin production. It is presently available as a 7-valent vaccine. From 2009 onwards, extended protection vaccines including 10 and 13 serotypes are expected to become available in increasing quantities. See WHO information for the effects of the disease.
  • Rotavirus vaccine was recommended for inclusion into all national immunization programmes at the April 2009 meeting of the Strategic Advisory Group of Experts (SAGE) on Immunization. Use of the vaccine should be part of a comprehensive diarrhoeal disease control strategy including, among other interventions, improvements of hygiene and sanitation, zinc supplementation, community-based administration of oral rehydration solution and overall improved case management. See WHO information for the effects of the disease.
  • Measles second dose vaccination support will be provided by the GAVI Alliance if it is included in the country’s comprehensive multi-year plan. Countries can re-apply for measles second dose support as often as a new comprehensive multi-year plan is developed, up to a limit of five years, but not beyond 2015. The application for this support must be endorsed by WHO. See WHO information for the effects of the disease.