Khalid Tawalbeh
Doha
Qatar’s unwavering commitment to global immunisation efforts has significantly impacted the health landscape, with its generous contributions to Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, playing a pivotal role in saving millions of lives worldwide.
Faisal Gilani, director of Resource Mobilisation at Gavi, recently discussed with Qatar Tribune how Qatar’s partnership has been crucial to the alliance’s mission of vaccinating over a billion children, reshaping the future of health care for some of the world’s most vulnerable populations.
Gilani said that since 2016, Qatar has been an instrumental ally in Gavi’s fight against vaccine-preventable diseases, providing $30 million through the Qatar Fund for Development (QFFD).
He emphasised the transformative effect of Qatar’s support, describing it as not only a generous financial contribution but also a demonstration of strategic, impactful leadership in global health.
Qatar’s commitment to immunisation
“Qatar’s involvement has been nothing short of exceptional,” Gilani told Qatar Tribune. “Through its ongoing support, Qatar has shown how dedicated funding can deliver extraordinary health and economic outcomes. Their contributions have helped expand access to life-saving vaccines in regions where healthcare systems face the most challenges.”
Gavi, with support from donors like Qatar, has been able to achieve remarkable milestones in global health. Gilani noted that a child born in a Gavi-supported country today is 70 percent less likely to die from a vaccine-preventable disease than they would have been in the year 2000.
The partnership has vaccinated over 1.1 billion children, saved 18.8 million lives, and generated over $250 billion in economic benefits, a direct result of immunization programs that are funded by organisations like Qatar.
Strategic partnerships, effective outreach
Gilani pointed to Qatar’s successful collaborations with local and international organisations as central to the alliance’s success. Qatar’s partnership with Education Above All (EAA) has proven instrumental in increasing immunisation rates in some of the world’s most challenging regions, including Ethiopia, Kenya, and Nigeria.
“This collaboration has made significant strides in identifying out-of-school children in underserved communities and tailoring vaccination outreach strategies to reach them,” Gilani explained. “By connecting education and healthcare, Qatar has demonstrated how cross-sectoral approaches can improve access to vaccines and overall health outcomes. It’s a model that we hope to replicate in other areas around the world.”
This strategic integration of education, health care, and development is one of the key reasons Qatar has become such a vital partner for Gavi.
Gilani commended the country’s holistic approach, emphasising that effective immunisation campaigns must consider a variety of factors, including community trust, healthcare infrastructure, and accessibility.
Driving innovation in vaccine delivery
Looking to the future, Gavi has set ambitious goals for 2026 to 2030, aiming to vaccinate more than 500 million children and save an estimated 8 to 9 million lives across 54 countries.
Gilani highlighted Qatar’s potential to play a vital role in achieving these targets, particularly by driving innovation in vaccine delivery.
“There are exciting opportunities for Qatar to continue playing a leading role in innovation, particularly when it comes to technology and vaccine distribution,” Gilani said.
“We’re already seeing the positive impact of drone technology in Nigeria, where Gavi has partnered with Zipline to deliver vaccines to remote, hard-to-reach areas. Qatar, as a global leader in technology and innovation, has the expertise and the infrastructure to further develop these cutting-edge solutions, and we look forward to working with them to bridge the vaccine access gap.”
Gilani noted that innovations such as drone deliveries of vaccines are just one example of how Gavi and its partners are continuously seeking new ways to make immunisation programmes more effective, efficient, and accessible.
He expressed optimism that Qatar could further strengthen these initiatives with its expertise in logistics, innovation, and infrastructure development.
Humanitarian contributions
Qatar’s support for immunisation efforts is not only limited to funding but extends to its leadership in humanitarian aid. Gavi’s recent $20 million grant is focused on ensuring children in conflict zones, particularly in Gaza, the West Bank, and Palestinian refugee camps in Lebanon, receive essential vaccines.
Gilani emphasised how Qatar’s role as a humanitarian leader aligns perfectly with Gavi’s mission to provide equitable access to vaccines in areas that are often the hardest to reach.
“Qatar’s expertise in delivering aid to crisis zones is invaluable,” said Gilani. “This grant will allow us to expand our efforts in regions where access to healthcare is limited and where political and logistical challenges often prevent children from receiving their vaccines. Qatar’s strategic support in these areas has been crucial in ensuring that even the most vulnerable populations are protected.”
The political instability in regions like Gaza and Lebanon has made it particularly difficult to ensure that children in refugee camps receive their vaccines.
Qatar’s extensive experience in working within such contexts, combined with its financial contributions and strong relationships with international humanitarian organisations, has enabled Gavi to overcome many of these challenges and bring vaccines to those in dire need.
Tackling vaccine hesitancy
In addition to logistical challenges, vaccine hesitancy remains a significant barrier to achieving global immunisation targets.
Gilani stressed that combating misinformation and building trust with local communities is essential to ensuring the success of immunisation programmes.
He highlighted the importance of partnerships with local leaders, healthcare providers, and trusted community figures in educating populations and addressing concerns about vaccine safety and efficacy.
“Building trust is a long-term process,” Gilani said. “Through education campaigns and collaboration with local leaders, we can help families make informed decisions about vaccines. Qatar’s involvement in these efforts, particularly through partnerships with educational and community organisations, is critical to overcoming vaccine hesitancy.”
The rise of misinformation, particularly through social media, has made it more difficult to maintain public trust in vaccines.
Gilani emphasised that Gavi’s approach to combating vaccine hesitancy includes engaging with communities to ensure that people receive accurate and trusted information about the benefits of vaccination.
Qatar’s role in global health security
Gavi has also shifted its focus to global health security in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Gilani spoke about Gavi’s establishment of the African Vaccine Manufacturing Accelerator and the Day Zero Financing Facility, initiatives designed to ensure that countries can respond quickly to health emergencies.
“The pandemic taught us a lot about the importance of global coordination and rapid response,” Gilani noted. “Through our new initiatives, we are working to ensure that countries have the infrastructure and the resources needed to respond to future health crises, and Qatar’s support will continue to be vital in these efforts.”
He also emphasised that Qatar’s financial contributions have helped ensure the swift delivery of COVID-19 vaccines to countries in need, particularly in Africa and Asia. Qatar’s commitment to strengthening global health security is closely aligned with Gavi’s mission to make vaccines accessible to all, regardless of their geographical location or economic situation.
historic contributions, future commitments
Qatar’s leadership in global health efforts is not just a reflection of its generosity but also its strategic vision for the future. Since 2011, Qatar has pledged more than $20 million to support Gavi’s work in over 95 developing countries. The partnership has led to the immunisation of millions of children and has significantly reduced the incidence of vaccine-preventable diseases.
With its five-year agreement with QFFD (2021–2025), Qatar has committed an additional $10 million to improving vaccine delivery systems in low-income nations. This ongoing commitment demonstrates Qatar’s long-term vision for global health and its unwavering dedication to ensuring that no child is left behind.
“Immunisation has halved childhood mortality in Gavi-supported countries, and the economic benefits of our programmes have far exceeded expectations,” Gilani said. “We are counting on partners like Qatar to help us raise the necessary funds for our 2026–2030 strategy. Together, we can continue to save millions of lives and create a healthier, more prosperous future for all.”
Qatar, a cornerstone of Gavi’s success
Qatar’s pioneering role in global immunisation efforts, through its support of Gavi, is a testament to the country’s leadership in global health and humanitarian initiatives. With continued contributions, Qatar will remain a cornerstone of Gavi’s success, helping to ensure that children around the world, regardless of their circumstances, have access to the life-saving vaccines they need.
As Gavi continues to expand its reach and address the challenges posed by fragile healthcare systems, climate change, and vaccine hesitancy, Qatar’s continued support and innovation will be critical in driving the next phase of the global immunisation agenda.
Through its forward-thinking approach to philanthropy, diplomacy, and international collaboration, Qatar’s role in global health will only grow more significant, paving the way for a future where no child is left behind.
