Sierra Leone’s efforts to expand access to life-saving vaccines and strengthen its healthcare system have received a major boost following the allocation of US$60.967 million by Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, to support the country’s immunization programmes over the next five years, from 2026 to 2030.

The funding commitment formed a central part of discussions between President Dr. Julius Maada Bio and the Chief Executive Officer of Gavi, Dr. Sania Nishtar, during a high-level meeting held at the organization’s headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, on Tuesday, 13 October 2026.

The engagement provided an opportunity for both leaders to review Sierra Leone’s progress in expanding vaccination services, examine challenges affecting healthcare delivery and discuss measures to sustain immunization programmes, particularly in communities where access to essential medical services remains limited.

Welcoming the allocation under the Gavi 6.0 programme, President Dr. Julius Maada Bio expressed appreciation for the organization’s continued assistance, describing the partnership as an important contribution to Sierra Leone’s efforts to protect children and reduce deaths caused by vaccine-preventable diseases.

“Sierra Leone greatly values its longstanding partnership with Gavi and its contribution to protecting the health and lives of our people, particularly our children,” President Dr. Julius Maada Bio said.

He explained that cooperation between Sierra Leone and Gavi had helped improve national immunization coverage, facilitate the introduction of essential vaccines and extend healthcare services to underserved populations.

President Dr. Julius Maada Bio also highlighted the Government’s financial commitment to maintaining vaccination programmes, disclosing that Sierra Leone had surpassed its recent vaccine co-financing requirements while setting aside approximately US$4.8 million in domestic resources to support immunization activities between 2026 and 2030.

He added that the Government continues to cover the costs of more than 2,500 immunization personnel, demonstrating its determination to maintain a functioning vaccination system and reduce dependence on external assistance.

“We have exceeded our recent vaccine co-financing obligations, committed approximately US$4.8 million in domestic financing for 2026–2030, and continue to finance more than 2,500 immunization personnel,” President Dr. Julius Maada Bio stated.

Drawing attention to ongoing healthcare reforms, President Dr. Julius Maada Bio informed Gavi’s leadership about the Government’s 300 Days of Activism for Triple Zero initiative, which seeks to strengthen accountability within district health systems and accelerate efforts to prevent avoidable maternal and child deaths.

He explained that the initiative is also intended to improve the delivery of essential healthcare services, including immunization, by ensuring that communities across the country benefit from stronger monitoring, improved coordination and greater institutional responsibility.

The President stressed that maintaining progress in disease prevention would require consistent financial support and effective cooperation between the Government and its international partners.

He therefore appealed to Gavi to consider additional arrangements that would enable Sierra Leone to preserve its existing malaria vaccination coverage beyond 2027, particularly as the country works to strengthen protection against a disease that continues to threaten public health.

President Dr. Julius Maada Bio further emphasized the importance of ensuring that funds allocated under Gavi 6.0 are released predictably and implemented without unnecessary delays.

According to the President, timely financing would help maintain uninterrupted vaccination services, improve planning and enable health authorities to implement immunization programmes effectively throughout the 2026–2030 period.

In her response, Gavi Chief Executive Officer Dr. Sania Nishtar welcomed President Dr. Julius Maada Bio to the organization’s headquarters and commended his personal involvement in promoting vaccination and strengthening international cooperation on public health.

She observed that the President’s visit reflected his commitment to Gavi’s objectives and his continued interest in ensuring that vulnerable populations have access to essential vaccines.

“This is something very close to your heart and you are committed to it. I am struck by your knowledge and understanding of the issues,” Dr. Sania Nishtar remarked.

Dr. Sania Nishtar also expressed appreciation for Sierra Leone’s achievements in immunization, describing the country’s progress as encouraging and reaffirming her support for its efforts to strengthen healthcare delivery.

She particularly welcomed the 300 Days of Activism for Triple Zero initiative, recognizing its focus on improving accountability and preventing avoidable deaths among mothers and children.

The Gavi Chief Executive Officer encouraged President Dr. Julius Maada Bio to sustain his international advocacy for the organisation, noting the importance of political leadership in mobilizing support for vaccination programmes and maintaining global attention on public health priorities.

Sierra Leone’s immunization programme has recorded considerable improvements over the years, with national coverage for key vaccine antigens now exceeding 90 percent.

The progress has been supported by investments in vaccine delivery systems, improved healthcare infrastructure and cooperation between the Government and development partners.

Through Gavi’s assistance, approximately 90 percent of public primary healthcare facilities in Sierra Leone now have functional cold-chain equipment, helping health workers preserve vaccines under appropriate temperature conditions and maintain their effectiveness.

The organisation has also contributed to improving vaccine transportation by providing motorbikes and dedicated vaccine trucks to support distribution from central storage facilities to healthcare centres and communities.

Those interventions have strengthened the movement of vaccines across the country, including to remote settlements where transportation difficulties have historically affected access to essential medical supplies.

Beyond routine immunization, Gavi has supported Sierra Leone’s response to public health emergencies by providing vaccine doses and operational assistance during the Mpox outbreak.

Its contributions have also supported the national Ebola preventive vaccination campaign, strengthening the country’s ability to protect vulnerable populations and respond to infectious disease threats.

The latest US$60.967 million allocation is expected to help consolidate those achievements by supporting continued vaccine delivery, improving immunization infrastructure and strengthening the systems required to maintain reliable vaccination services.

The financial support also comes at a time when Sierra Leone is seeking to increase domestic investment in healthcare while maintaining international partnerships necessary to address funding and operational challenges.

The Geneva meeting further highlighted the shared interest of Sierra Leone and Gavi in protecting the gains already achieved and ensuring that vaccination programmes remain accessible, effective and sustainable.

With the new funding covering the period up to 2030, the Government is expected to work closely with Gavi to maintain immunization coverage, strengthen service delivery and expand protection against vaccine-preventable diseases, particularly among children and communities facing limited access to healthcare. https://thecalabashnewspaper.com/archives/65384