Minister Hussen renews Canada’s pledge for global health and lifesaving vaccines

From: Global Affairs Canada

News release

March 7, 2025 – Ottawa, Ontario – Global Affairs Canada

Vaccines work. They save lives, protect the most vulnerable – especially children – and make the world safer for everyone. Unfortunately, 1 in 5 children around the world lack access to pre-existing vaccines and an estimated 1.5 million children die from vaccine-preventable illness every year.

That is unacceptable and Canada is committed to doing its part to build a safer, healthier world.

Today, the Honourable Ahmed Hussen, Minister of International Development, announced a pledge of $675 million over the next five years (2026-2030), for Gavi, The Vaccine Alliance. This investment will help Gavi, a trusted global health partner of Canada, provide lifesaving vaccines to at least 500 million more children, and prevent over 8 million deaths.

Canada’s investment in Gavi will protect 50 million children with groundbreaking new malaria vaccines and 120 million girls from human papillomavirus (HPV), the main cause of cervical cancer. Our investment will expand vaccine storage facilities for children in remote communities around the world. It will strengthen global health security by expanding outbreak prevention and critical vaccine stockpiles, including new mpox vaccines. It will also protect the health and well-being of Canadians, preventing disease outbreaks and minimizing the chance of them spreading across borders.

Canada’s renewed pledge for Gavi is good news for global health, and good news for the economy. As children get healthier, their families and communities contribute more to the economy, face lower health care costs, and can advance their careers. By ensuring children can live healthy lives, Gavi’s work is projected to create over $100 billion in economic benefits. With today’s pledge, Canada’s core funding to Gavi has totalled over $1.75 billion since 2015. 

As a proven partner in global health, Gavi has provided lifesaving vaccines to more than 1.1 billion children in 78 lower-income countries, preventing more than 18.8 million future deaths.

Canada has been investing in vaccination programs and global health systems for more than 50 years. Canada will continue to take action on global health security and well-being, towards the achievement of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. Together, we will protect children’s health and well-being, reduce the spread of infectious diseases, and build a better, healthier world for everyone.

Quotes

“Canada remains firmly committed to investing in international assistance, because there’s clear evidence that it’s the right thing to do, and the smart thing to do, to build a healthier and more prosperous future for the next generation.”

- Ahmed Hussen, Minister of International Development

“Today, we are deeply grateful to Canada, and to Canadians, for their commitment to Gavi’s next 5-year strategic period. This vital support builds on many years of partnership, and as we look forward this investment will ensure that hard-won gains are preserved, global vaccine stockpiles keep the world safe, the most impactful vaccines continue to be accessible around the world, and that vulnerable populations, particularly women and girls, are given the opportunity to thrive.”

- Dr. Sania Nishtar, Gavi CEO 

Quick facts

  • Vaccines are one of the world’s most effective, evidence-based public health interventions. Vaccines save over 4 million lives each year. The World Health Organization estimates that between 2000 and 2023, more than 60 million children’s lives have been saved by the measles vaccine alone.

  • For every $1 spent on vaccines, there is an estimated return of investment of more than $54 from people living longer, more productive, and healthier lives. By preventing illness, vaccines save families and communities from the burden of costly medical bills, caretaker wages, and loss of earnings and productivity.

  • Canada has also committed $85 million for Gavi’s work with partners on the African Vaccine Manufacturing Accelerator, which aims to produce 800 million vaccines in Africa over the next 10 years, ensuring no child is left behind.

  • Gavi helps buy and deliver vaccines to immunize children against 20 infectious diseases, including HPV, malaria, measles, meningitis, and polio. Gavi works with key partners like the World Health Organization, UNICEF and ministries of health to support childhood immunization programs in 57 countries. 

  • Gavi’s support has helped 19 countries launch vaccine programs that are now fully self-funded, demonstrating Gavi’s efficacy in supporting the development of low- and middle-income countries.

  • The funding announced today is part of Canada’s 10-Year Commitment to Global Health and Rights – Canada’s largest and longest financial commitment in international development assistance.

Associated links

Contacts

Shanti Cosentino
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of International Development
shanti.cosentino@international.gc.ca

Media Relations Office
Global Affairs Canada
media@international.gc.ca

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