Monrovia, Liberia, Sunday, April 27, 2025 – Amidst the growing death rate among children due to due to lack of immunization from preventable diseases in Africa and Asia, a powerful Liberian delegation comprising lawmakers and health advocates was among others from some African and Asian countries to participate in a conference in Istanbul, Turkey to champion sustainable immunization financing in their countries which culminated in the adoption of the Istanbul Parliamentary Call for Immunization financing, a bold declaration that outlines specific commitments and appeals to multiple stakeholders.
The two-day forum held April 15-16 which was organized by the Global Health Advocacy Incubator (GHAI) with support from GAVI and it brought together lawmakers from Cameroon, Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana, Kenya, Laos, Liberia, Madagascar, Nigeria, Sierra Leone and Zambia. They were carefully selected health advocates, with 16 serving on health committees (nine as chairs), two chairing existing legislative immunization Caucuses and others holding key positions in finance and national immunization advisory groups.
According to the organizers, the objectives of the conference were geared towards fostering collaboration, sharing effective strategies, developing actionable plans and establishing a parliamentary network dedicated to increasing political will and domestic resources for sustainable immunization financing. With many countries navigating Gavi transitions and the Alliance’s crucial 2026-2030 replenishment on the horizon, “the timing couldn’t have been more critical.
A release from the organizers said the landmark outcome at the conference was a bold declaration that outlines specific commitments and appeals to multiple stakeholders, especially the respective governments of the delegation to among others rapidly adopt policies to mobilize domestic resources for immunization and primary health care, meet Gavi co-financing obligations, demonstrating commitment and ensuring program continuity, establish transparent, sustainable long-term financing mechanisms for increased country ownership and support high-quality regional vaccine manufacturing to strengthen supply resilience.
“The Call to Action also urged international partners and donors to continue robust investment in immunization, including supporting Gavi’s ambitious goal to raise $9 billion for its 2026-2030 period. These funds are vital to protect 500 million more children, enable responses to 150 disease outbreaks, and support the introduction of new life-saving vaccines.
“Most significantly, the parliamentarians constituted themselves into an Africa-Asia Parliamentary Network. This dedicated body aims to amplify advocacy for increased domestic health budgets, strengthen parliamentary oversight of immunization programs and facilitate the sharing of best practices across continents”, the release said.
Each delegation at the conference expressed strong commitment to engage their respective governments on taking action to promote immunization financing. Senator Dabah N. Varpilah, Chairman of the Senate Committee and head of the Liberian team said upon her return she will meet her colleagues in the senate to attract government’s support to finance immunization.
“I will convene a committee meeting to brief my colleagues and 100 percent support for being able to domestically raise resources to finance vaccines and a lot of primary health issues”, the Gbarpolu County senator said.
“This historic gathering represents more than just a meeting-it marks the beginning of a powerful parliamentary movement for immunization financing across two continents. By leveraging their unique positions, these parliamentary champions are poised to drive sustainable domestic resource mobilization. This is essential for ensuring that health systems can consistently deliver vaccines, protecting communities year after year, especially as countries transition from donor support.
“With GAVI having already helped immunize 1.1 billion children since 2000, the stakes and opportunities are clear. Through this new network and their individual country actions, these parliamentarians are not just advocating for budget lines-they are championing the right of every child to grow up healthy and protected from preventable diseases, building a foundation for a more prosperous future.
“The Istanbul Call to Action stands as both a commitment and a challenge- to governments, donors and the parliamentarians themselves- to ensure that the life-saving progress made in global immunization is not just maintained but accelerated in the years to come”, the release said.
The organizers stressed the significant roles the lawmakers will play in the cause for the pursuit for proper immunization financing as they hold a unique position in the machinery of their respective governments and remain optimistic that upon return to their countries concrete actions will be taken for the realization of the conference.
“We’ve witnessed a powerful convergence: 21 parliamentary leaders have come together to issue a landmark call to action,” noted Vandana Shah, Vice President of Health Systems Strengthening at GHAI. “They are demanding their governments prioritize domestic immunization funding to reach every child, eliminate the tragedy of zero-dose children, and safeguard both public health and global security.”
The Liberian delegation was headed by Senator Dabah Varpilah and also included Representatives Rugie Yatu Barry, Prescilla Abram Cooper, Julie Fatorma Wiah, Marie Gayon Johnson and Miss Joyce Laykah Kilikpo, the Executive Director of GHAI’s CSO partner, Public Health Initiative Liberia.
