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A weekly development news platform published by UrgeDevWire, produced by Urge Communications. Covering wider East African region.

Inside Health News Desk| East Africa. Urge- DevWire

Gavi Board sets Gavi 6.0 targets; Ethiopia's health minister named Vice Chair

Geneva, 2 July 2026

The Board of Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance concluded a two day meeting agreeing overall targets for its 2026 to 2030 strategic period, known as Gavi 6.0, including reaching 500 million children, preventing eight to nine million deaths and reducing under five mortality by a further 10 percent. The Board also approved measures to boost Gavi's African Vaccine Manufacturing Accelerator, including an additional 189 million United States dollars beyond the one billion dollars already dedicated to the initiative, with 139 million dollars of that sum earmarked for purchasing vaccines made in Africa.

The Board approved extending the European Investment Bank Frontloading Facility through the end of 2026 and authorised Gavi to draw down up to 500 million euros from the facility, backed by donor pledges, to maintain continuity of core operations. New policies on country vaccine budgets and co financing for preventive campaigns were also adopted, with a preference for digital payments to health workers where feasible.

Ethiopia's Minister of Health, Dr Mekdes Daba, was appointed Vice Chair of the Gavi Board and Chair of its Governance Committee, both effective 1 October 2026. Dr Rana Hajjeh was appointed Chair of the Independent Review Committee for a three year term with immediate effect.

Source: Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance.

Inside Health News Desk| East Africa. Urge- DevWire