Strengthening Immunization Supply Chains to Ensure the Effectiveness of Life-Saving Vaccines

This project aims to ensure that more children have access to life-saving vaccines by strengthening the effectiveness of immunization supply chains. The immunization supply chain aims to ensure effective vaccine storage handling and stock management; ensure rigorous temperature control so that vaccines remain effective until they reach the children who need them; and maintain adequate logistics management information systems. The project supports the development and implementation of the GAVI Immunization Supply Chain Strategy. A key project activity is to design or redesign immunization supply chain strategies in individual countries. The goal is to look at innovative approaches and technologies to improve the management of immunization supply chains to increase the availability and use of data and to improve product choice and procurement and management of cold chain equipment. The project also seeks to encourage greater country ownership of immunization supply chain systems. These activities are additional to activities included in country proposals approved through GAVI’s normal application review and approvals processes.

The expected intermediate outcomes for this project include: (1) improved efficiency of immunization supply chain systems; (2) reduced wastage of GAVI-supported vaccines; (3) evidence of an increased focus on and resources for immunization supply chains; and (4) improved information systems and modernized and better managed cold chain equipment.