Global Alliance for Vaccines And Immunization Donates $1 Billion To Provide Shots For Needy Children

LONDON -- A global health group says it will donate just over $1 billion to immunize children in 37 countries from life-threatening diseases.

The Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization said Tuesday that countries in Africa, where the diseases such as pneumonia, diarrhea, meningitis A and measles have a particularly devastating toll, will be the main recepients of the aid.

The group said that it will buy the vaccines which will then be sent to the needy countries.

Some funds will help kick-start immunization campaigns, but it will be largely up to countries themselves to vaccinate vulnerable children.

A spokesman for the group says immunization programs might start by the end of 2012.

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Comments

[BlueZoo]

03:11 PM on 09/29/2011

Is one of the 37 countries the United States? If not, why not? We have needy kids here who have families that cannot possibly afford vaccinations!

[FrenchKissed]

03:18 PM on 09/29/2011

I don't believe it's an issue in the United States. Government programs will pay for inoculation of needy kids whose parents cannot afford it.

[Dyson]

04:18 AM on 09/28/2011

Brilliant news.
Well done GAVI, and kudos to the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.