Health Alert Urges Govt. to Pay GAVI
Health Alert Sierra Leone has urgently called for Government action to avert a looming national vaccine shortage that could endanger thousands of children’s lives. Speaking during a media briefing in Freetown, Executive Director, Victor Lansana Koroma, warned that unless the Government pays the remaining $721,807 of its 2025 co-financing obligation to the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (GAVI) by August 31, 2025, severe vaccine stockouts are imminent. Sierra Leone committed $823,680 for essential vaccines, but has only paid $101,873 allocated for the Penta vaccine so far. The outstanding balance is critical for securing Measles-Rubella ($237,430), Rotavirus ($85,065), Yellow Fever ($57,399), HPV ($14,708), Malaria ($195,156), and Pneumococcal Conjugate (PCV) ($132,049) vaccines.
According to a GAVI letter dated June 25, failure to pay by end-August 2025 will delay procurement, with restocking potentially taking three months—a gap risking preventable child illness and death. Koroma acknowledged President Julius Maada Bio’s recent reaffirmation of Sierra Leone’s immunization commitment at the GAVI Global Summit in Brussels, but stressed that immediate action is now essential to match words with delivery. Health Alert, supported by WASH-Net and the Global Health Advocacy Incubator (GHAI), urged the Finance Ministry to release funds without delay, the Health Ministry to actively follow up, the Bank of Sierra Leone to expedite transfers, and Parliamentary Committees to prioritize vaccine co-financing in the 2025 Budget. “Health through immunization is not a privilege; it is a right,” Koroma emphasized, adding, “The cost of inaction will be paid in lives if we fail to act now and faster.”
Programme Manager, Dalton John, underscored that vaccines are among the most cost-effective public health interventions, saving lives, preventing outbreaks, reducing healthcare costs, supporting child development, and strengthening national resilience. “Healthy children are more likely to attend school and reach their full potential. Immunization protects the population during crises and sustains public confidence in the health system,” he stated. John warned that GAVI requires at least a three-month lead time between payment and delivery, meaning payments made after August risk delayed shipments and stockouts. He recommended the Government align payments with program needs, monitor stock levels, engage the Finance Ministry for timely releases, and prioritize co-financing as a lifeline for children’s health.
Responding to Health Alert’s concerns, Health Minister, Dr. Austin Demby, affirmed Sierra Leone’s position as one of GAVI’s strongest partners, citing consistent over 90% vaccine coverage for five years—a record recently commended by GAVI and UNICEF. He highlighted Sierra Leone’s successful introduction of new vaccines for malaria, cervical cancer, COVID-19, Ebola, and Marburg viruses, noting President Bio’s keynote address at GAVI’s Brussels conference, where Sierra Leone was recognized as a continental leader in vaccine delivery. Dr. Demby confirmed that the Ministry of Finance has approved payment of the $823,680 co-financing amount, with cheques prepared and remittance expected “in the next few days.” He emphasized Sierra Leone’s strong track record in meeting commitments, which secured over $17 million in grants for vaccines and delivery over the next three years. Dr. Demby also outlined plans to strengthen domestic health financing through initiatives like the Sierra Leone Social Health Insurance scheme (SLeSHI), debt swaps, and “sin taxes” to supplement international funding.