Delivered by Laetitia Bigger, Senior Manager, Vaccines Policy

Check against delivery – Item 9.3, Global Vaccine Action Plan

Thank you for the opportunity to contribute to this important discussion today. IFPMA represents leading research-based pharmaceutical companies as well as national and regional industry associations across the world.

IFPMA member companies are proud of their role to support strong immunization programs and stand committed to support the Decade of Vaccines Global Vaccine Action Plan.

Achieving these goals requires an enabling environment that is conducive to technological innovation. Such an environment provides adequate regulatory and investment policies, while facilitating access through ensuring demand predictability, volume commitments, and uptake of a broad range of vaccines.

IFPMA encourages the pursuit of a progressive transition from Gavi support towards fully self-sufficient, country adapted and evidenced-based immunization programs for countries’ populations. Sustainable vaccination programs should be built upon the unique needs of the country – including its immunization system maturity, economic situation, political will and ability to measure the burden of disease and impact of vaccine introduction.

Although many countries have made immunization a priority, more must be done to reach the 20% of children who are left unimmunized. Achieving broad immunization coverage, serving the millions of people who deserve an equal opportunity for a healthy life is a shared responsibility to be fulfilled through continued dialogue and partnerships.

While countries and partners seek to support self-sufficiency for national immunization programs, the research-based vaccine manufacturers’ role is to bring to life new solutions that help prevent the spread of disease – contributing to the eradication of polio, control of malaria, dengue, and diarrheal diseases, and more recently to Ebola where every effort is being made to develop a vaccine at an unprecedented pace.

IFPMA calls all relevant partners and countries to align their commitments with the GVAP objectives to help achieve sustainable availability and access to vaccines for all people, regardless of where they live.

About IFPMA

The International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers and Associations (IFPMA) represents over 90 innovative pharmaceutical companies and associations around the world. Our industry’s almost three million employees discover, develop, and deliver medicines and vaccines that advance global health. Based in Geneva, IFPMA has official relations with the United Nations and contributes industry expertise to help the global health community improve the lives of people everywhere. For more information, visit ifpma.org.

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Media Contact

Elliot Dunster e.dunster@ifpma.org