Global vaccine stockpiles supported by Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance have averted more than 5.8 million cases and 327,000 deaths from disease outbreaks in low- and middle-income countries since 2000, according to a new study. The findings, published in the British Medical Journal (BMJ) Global Health, highlight the life-saving impact of immunization programs, which also generated nearly $32 billion in economic benefits by curbing outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases.
Established in 2000, Gavi funds the distribution and scaling of vaccines through routine healthcare systems and preventive campaigns. The study underscores the critical role of maintaining high vaccination coverage to prevent large outbreaks. “For diseases with routine immunization programs, strong population immunity is essential to avoid major epidemics,” said lead author Dominic Delport, a researcher at Australia’s Burnet Institute.
Delport emphasized that rapid vaccine deployment during outbreaks significantly reduces harm. “When outbreaks occur, a swift vaccine response offers the best protection for at-risk populations—and the faster the response, the greater the impact,” he explained. The study reinforces the importance of timely interventions in limiting the spread of diseases like cholera, Ebola, and measles.
However, the researchers warned that declining routine vaccination rates, compounded by cuts to U.S. foreign aid, threaten global health security. The study stresses the continued need for vaccine stockpiles as an “insurance policy” against deadly outbreaks. Without sustained investment, progress in disease prevention could be reversed, leaving vulnerable populations at risk.