Collaborating with Coca-Cola in Ghana

The Coca-Cola Company, the world’s largest beverage company, is working with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, and GAVI to find ways to strengthen Ghana’s vaccine supply chain by sharing Coca-Cola’s unparalleled distribution and logistical expertise to ensure that vaccines are delivered to “the last mile.” In addition, the Ministry of Health will be able to tap into Coca-Cola’s marketing expertise to boost awareness of and participation in vaccine campaigns.

Donor reviews give top scores to GAVI

Two donors released reviews of GAVI’s performance in 2011. The UK undertook a detailed review of multilateral aid, assessing the effectiveness of over 40 multilateral organisations in tackling poverty. Its conclusions endorsed both the value of immunisation and GAVI’s organisational strengths. Sweden also conducted a review of GAVI in 2011, giving top marks to the organisation for relevance and effectiveness.

According to a G8 study, which calculated the proportion of donor support that directly benefits maternal and child health, 100% of contributions to GAVI reach mothers and children in the developing world. Governments donating to GAVI are thus assured that their commitments will help meet the goals set out in the G8 Muskoka Initiative.

How vaccines work

Each child is born with a natural immune system which protects against disease-causing agents, such as bacteria and viruses. When such an agent – or antigen – enters the body, the immune system produces antibodies to destroy it. once our immune system has been exposed to a particular antigen, it “remembers” it and can defend against it in the future.

Vaccines contain inactivated or greatly weakened versions of the antigens (or parts of the antigens) that are responsible for disease. the antigens in vaccines are not strong enough to cause illness, but they prime the immune system to recognise a particular antigen and to mount an appropriate immune response.

Vaccines key to cancer prevention

Almost 20% of all cancer cases are caused by chronic infections. Hepatitis B is a leading cause of liver cancer, while human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is responsible for virtually all cases of cervical cancer. GAVI is directly supporting the introduction of safe and effective vaccines that can protect millions from these two leading cancers.

Working with Vodafone

GAVI is working with Vodafone, one of the world’s leading communications companies, to explore the use of mobile (“mHealth”) technologies to improve vaccine stock management in implementing countries. This collaboration was initiated following a meeting among Vodafone CEO Vittorio Colao, the UK Secretary of State for International Development Andrew Mitchell and GAVI CEO Seth Berkley.

Why DTP3?

DPT3 coverage is considered the best indicator of the reach of national immunisation programmes.
A fully-functioning immunisation system – comprising a well-trained work force, robust vaccine supply and distribution systems, and strong management and monitoring functions – is essential to immunising children with three doses of DTP at the recommended 6-, 10- and 14-week intervals. The vast majority of children in GAVI-supported countries receive DTP as part of the pentavalent vaccine, which also includes antigens against hepatitis B and Hib.