Health Alert Sierra Leone has reaffirmed its commitment to advancing sustainable and inclusive immunization financing during the Gavi 6.0 Transition Dialogue Sessions organized by the Ministry of Health from 8th to 14th October 2025 at the Brookfields Hotel in Freetown.
The high-level engagement formed part of a joint monitoring and evaluation visit to Sierra Leone by a Gavi delegation led by Maria, the Country Manager for Gavi-funded projects in the country. The dialogue, convened through the Extended Programme on Immunization (EPI), brought together senior officials from the Ministry of Health, Civil Society Organizations and development partners, including UNICEF and WHO, to unpack the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization’s (Gavi) new grant extension pathways under the 5.1 framework.
Representing the voice of Civil Society, Health Alert Sierra Leone delivered a powerful presentation highlighting progress made through its Global Health Advocacy Incubator (GHAI)-supported project, funded by Gavi. Among its key achievements were:
- The establishment of a Parliamentary–CSO Caucus for Health and Immunization Financing, creating a multi-stakeholder platform to enhance transparency and accountability.
- The Government of Sierra Leone’s early payment of co-financing funds for immunization in 2025; a milestone that demonstrates national ownership and commitment.
- The introduction of a dedicated budget line for immunization in the 2025/2026 national health budget for the first time, ensuring visibility and sustainability.
- A joint advocacy effort by development partners, including UNICEF, WHO, the Ministry of Finance and Parliament, to establish a Basket Fund for Immunization, designed to pool and manage resources for predictable, equitable and long-term financing.
- Promotion of public–private partnerships to mobilize domestic and external funding, strengthen delivery systems and ensure long-term sustainability of immunization programmes.
During the session, the Gavi team provided an overview of the upcoming Gavi 6.0 transition plan, which introduces two key extension pathways:
Under this, countries benefiting from Health System Strengthening (HSS) and Technical Cooperation Agreement (TCA) grants will continue receiving 5.1 HRSS grants through 2023, with a two-year extension from 2025, leading to a consolidated cash grant under Gavi 6.0 in 2026.
Countries supported through partners such as UNICEF and WHO will continue with TCA grants through 2023, followed by a two-year extension in 2024, before transitioning to the new Country Foundation Grant model in 2026.
The upcoming 2026–2030 Gavi strategy, anchored in the theme: “Leaving No One Behind with Immunization,” focuses on scaling up vaccine introductions, strengthening health systems to promote equity and fostering financial and programmatic sustainability. It also prioritizes investments in six key health system pillars: service delivery, human resources for health, supply chain, health information systems, governance and health financing.
Health Alert’s advocacy interventions during the session underscored the indispensable role of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in shaping national immunization policies, driving accountability and ensuring community participation in health planning. The organization’s emphasis on inclusive financing, public–private collaboration and sustainable partnerships resonated strongly with both Government and development partners.
In closing, Health Alert Sierra Leone expressed profound appreciation to its partner, the Global Health Advocacy Incubator (GHAI), for supporting its participation in the dialogue and for amplifying the voices of Civil Society in national immunization and primary health care conversations.
“Our collective effort in strengthening immunization financing today determines the health security of Sierra Leone tomorrow,” Health Alert reaffirmed.
