The Global Health Advocacy Incubator's podcast spotlights how countries are funding their own vaccine programs post-donor aid. Hear from the advocates and policymakers turning financial gaps into action, with real-world strategies to boost domestic investment and strengthen immunization systems. Tune in: https://www.advocacyincubator.org/one-shot-long-life
Imagine a country where millions of kids still aren't getting vaccinated. Then imagine that country's biggest source of vaccine funding suddenly disappears. Total chaos, right?
Not exactly—because there are countries out there flipping that narrative. They're not panicking. They're organizing. They're adapting. And they're making it happen through smart, homegrown advocacy strategies. That's exactly what we're unpacking in the Global Health Advocacy Incubator's brand-new podcast series: "One Shot, Long Life!"
This series takes you deep into the real-world, frontline work of countries that are figuring out how to finance their own immunization programs without relying on donor aid. And they're doing it at a time when more than 14 million kids still aren't getting any routine vaccinations. That's why this work matters—and why you should be listening.
Let's talk numbers. In 2024, low-income countries put up nearly 255 million dollars of their own money for vaccines. That's a 19 percent jump from the year before. Huge progress—but also not enough. To hit the global immunization goals laid out in the I.A. 2030 agenda, that number needs to go up by a factor of three-point-five. We're talking more than 70 billion dollars across 94 countries by 2030.
So how are countries getting it done? Let's look at some of the stories featured in the podcast.
First up, Nigeria. With over 2 million zero-dose children and a 200-million-dollar annual funding gap, Nigeria is prepping for life after Gavi support, which ends in 2028. Advocates are pushing hard for reforms: things like first-line budget allocations and boosting local vaccine production. It's bold. It's political. And it's working.
Then there's Madagascar. Only zero-point-one-four percent of the country's immunization budget comes from domestic sources. That's shockingly low. But what's inspiring is how female mayors are stepping up to lead funding efforts from the ground up. In a country where 85 percent of people live on under 2 bucks a day, these mayors are proving that real change doesn't have to wait for perfect conditions—it just needs commitment.
Côte d'Ivoire is facing a similar reality. Right now, domestic funding only covers about 14 percent of its national immunization program. With Gavi support winding down, the country's at a turning point. But advocates and health leaders aren't waiting around—they're pushing strategic reforms to boost local investment and lock in long-term vaccine access.
Throughout "One Shot, Long Life!," you'll hear practical breakdowns of how countries are integrating vaccines into national primary healthcare plans; using advocacy to influence budget decisions; addressing vaccine pricing inequities; and making the economic case.
This isn't just policy talk—it's a blueprint. If you're working in global health, advocacy, or government, there's something in this series for you. So, ready to learn from the people actually doing the work? Tune in by clicking on the link in the description. Global Health Advocacy Incubator City: Washington Address: 1400 I Street Northwest Website: https://www.advocacyincubator.org/