OIC approves membership of Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization in its health panel

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Wednesday 02 Dec 2015 - 10:45 Makkah mean time-20-2-1437 Jeddah, (IINA) - OIC's Steering Committee on Health has officially approved the membership of an international coalition of partners committed to saving children’s lives and protecting people’s health by increasing access to immunization. The Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (GAVI), which includes national governments, international organizations, philanthropic institutes, the private sector and research and public institutions, will be able to take part in discussions on OIC health priorities in the future. This indicates that the organization will be able to provide expert advice on vaccine programs, including methods to increase immunization coverage and equity among children in OIC countries. “We welcome GAVI as a member of the OIC Steering Committee on Health and highly appreciate its active support to OIC member states and look forward to further strengthening of the partnership between OIC and GAVI”, said Ambassador Mohammed Naeem Khan, Assistant Secretary-General of Science and Technology at the OIC. On his part, CEO of GAVI Dr. Seth Berkley said that he is “delighted that the OIC recognizes the importance of immunization and GAVI’s role in supporting member states’ vaccine programs”, adding “millions of children in Islamic countries are already being protected against potentially life-threatening illnesses. We look forward to working even more closely with our OIC partners to reach even more children”. From 2000 to September 30, 2015, GAVI provided more than $4 billion to support immunization in 33 OIC member states, equivalent to 49 percent of GAVI disbursements. The grants helped developing countries immunize more than 210 million children, saving over four million lives. GAVI is already engaged with the OIC through its contributions to the OIC Strategic Health Program of Action (2014-2023) document in April 2013 and has been a member of the OIC’s Vaccine Manufacturing Group since June 2014. AG/IINA