Seth Berkley is the CEO of GAVI. He is a medical epidemiologist by training and a global advocate on the power of vaccines. Rarely have I seen such a powerful combination of passion, humility and drive….. It was a pleasure to interview to him.
How does Gavi work?
Gavi, The Vaccine Alliance (formerly the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization) is a public-private global health partnership committed to protecting children’s health by increasing access to immunization and strengthening health systems in the world’s poorest countries. As a public-private partnership, GAVI represents all the key stakeholders in global immunization: implementing and donor governments, the World Health Organization, UNICEF, the World Bank, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, civil society, the vaccine industry and private companies.
What are their core aims?
GAVI’S core aim is to provide new vaccines to children in poor countries. This powerful alliance is a model that is working extraordinarily well. We are not rescuing but empowering, our model is designed as a viable approach that puts countries on the pathway to self-sufficiency.
What is your role at GAVI?
My role as I see is to make sure that everyone understands the power of vaccines and as we continue to support countries to introduce new vaccines, our focus is to increase coverage and equity to assure that we reach every child with these vaccines. We are trying to reach the unreached and create one global society and it can happen.
How do they raise funds?
GAVI is funded through contributions by government donors and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. We work collaboratively with UNICEF , WHO and the World Bank Our force is warranting that our collaboration is a win-win for all involved.
What can others do to help with their great cause?
Drawing on the individual strengths of its members, the GAVI Alliance model aggregates country demand, guarantees long-term, predictable funding and brings down prices, helping to ensure that generations of children in poor countries do not miss out on lifesaving, economy-boosting vaccines.
For more information on how to support their great cause go to Gavi: http://www.gavi.org/
Follow Seth on Twitter and check out the latest Tweets from Seth Berkley (@GaviSeth)