Woonsocket Radio News Room

Amo, Kean, Salazar and Jacobs Introduce Resolution to Safeguard Vaccine and Immunization Efforts through Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman Gabe Amo (RI-01) and Representatives Tom Kean, Jr. (NJ-07), Maria Salazar (FL-27) and Sara Jacobs (CA-51) introduced a bipartisan resolution affirming continued U.S. support for the purchase of life-saving vaccines for lower-income countries through Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, as a cost-effective means to end preventable child and maternal deaths around the world. Since Gavi was established in 2000 with a mission to save lives, reduce poverty and protect the world against the threat of epidemics and pandemics, it has helped vaccinate more than 1 billion children in 78 countries through the end of 2022 — averting more than 17.3 million future deaths.

“Just as vaccines work to save lives, Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, works to save lives through increased immunization. For the last 24 years, Gavi has been the premier global health partnership — reducing the spread of diseases and prolonging the lives of millions of children who would have otherwise perished without access to vaccines,” said Congressman Gabe Amo. “I’m proud to join this bipartisan resolution to recognize Gavi because promoting American leadership in the fight to eradicate preventable diseases is an issue that can — and should — transcend the political aisle.”

“By providing cost-effective and sustainable vaccine distribution, Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance reinforces the global commitment to safeguarding the health of children around the world,” said Congressman Kean. “Gavi helps vaccinate more than half the world’s children against deadly and debilitating infectious diseases. I am honored to lead this resolution, to affirm the United States’ continued support for Gavi, ensuring access to life-saving vaccines for lower-income nations and saving countless lives from preventable disease.”   

“U.S. leadership in global health ensures reduced maternal and child deaths around the world,” said Congresswoman Salazar. “We must continue these live-saving investments, which result in breakthrough technologies like the malaria vaccine and help create healthy and prosperous societies in developing countries.” 

“Vaccines are one of our most important, effective, and efficient tools to fight global childhood poverty and prepare our next generation of leaders to have the health and strength they need in the future,” said Congresswoman Jacobs. “That’s why I’m so grateful for GAVI’s decades of work to help vaccinate more than 1 billion children – especially those in the Global South – against some of the world’s deadliest diseases. I’m proud to co-lead this bipartisan resolution to support the United States’ continued investments in GAVI to build a healthier, more stable, and secure world.” 

“RESULTS thanks Reps. Kean, Amo, Salazar, and Jacobs for introducing this Gavi resolution to support increased U.S. investments in lifesaving vaccines globally.” said RESULTS Executive Director, Joanne Carter. “Now, the administration should use this political momentum to make an early pledge of no less than $1.4 billion over 4 years to unlock other donor support and propel country-led vaccine efforts that will protect millions of children from diseases like pneumonia, deadly diarrhea, and now, malaria. A bold U.S. pledge to Gavi will save millions of lives, combat preventable diseases that trap people in cycles of poverty, and support primary health systems that can reach everyone and help prevent the next pandemic.” 

“We thank Representatives Kean, Amo, Jacobs, and Salazar for their leadership on this bipartisan resolution in support of Gavi, bringing us a step closer to ensuring healthier lives and more prosperous futures for children around the world,” said Ndidi Okonkwo Nwuneli, President and CEO of The ONE Campaign. “A robust US investment in Gavi is a strong signal of our commitment to protecting children from preventable disease, as well as a powerful call to action for other donor countries to meet the moment. Well-supported global immunization programs ensure that children can go to school and live full lives, parents can go to work, and economies are supported by healthy individuals and families. ONE urges other lawmakers to offer their support for this important resolution.” 

“We applaud H.Res. 1286 in support of Gavi’s lifesaving work, and we thank Representatives Kean, Amo, Jacobs, and Salazar for their leadership” said Martha Rebour, Executive Director of Shot@Life, and Margaret Reilly McDonnell, Executive Director of United to Beat Malaria, in a joint statement. “By immunizing children in low-income countries, Gavi plays an essential role in protecting the most vulnerable children from preventable diseases and strengthens global health security, protecting Americans at home and abroad. We urge Congress to continue to provide strong, bipartisan support for Gavi so that it can continue to carry out its critical mission.” 

This resolution: 

• Affirms the United States’ continued support for the purchase of vaccines for lower-income countries through Gavi 
• Supports the principles and goals of Gavi, including ensuring healthy markets for vaccines and related products; and strengthening health systems to increase equity in immunization 
• Recognizes the need for multi-year pledges from the United States to allow Gavi, to maximize its impact to provide lifesaving vaccines and to leverage contributions from other countries and donors 
• Encourages continued increased commitment and investment by the United States Government to Gavi in the 2026 to 2030 strategic period 

   

  Full text of the resolution is available HERE.