Funding success to enable continued regional immunisation support and engagement

The Australian Government has announced additional funding to provide support to address priority health needs across the Pacific and Southeast Asia.  

The funding package includes an investment of $9 million for technical support to improve immunisation coverage across the region, drawing on the expertise of the National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance (NCIRS) and ARIA.  

The work facilitated under this funding seeks to achieve end-of-program outcomes in partner countries including improved capabilities:  

• to manage and deliver strong, safe and inclusive vaccine programs that optimise access and uptake and address inequities  
• in evidence-based decision-making, incorporating considerations of equity and inclusion for vaccine policies and programs, especially for new vaccines
• to design targeted strategies using social, behavioural and communication data, including on gender and social inequities, that inform program and policy decisions to increase equitable vaccine uptake
• to monitor and evaluate immunisation safety and effectiveness.

NCIRS and ARIA welcome this ongoing support to continue to partner with Pacific and Southeast Asian countries to deliver safe, effective and accessible immunisation programs.

We look forward to working with in-country stakeholders, including ministries of health and other development partners, to design country-specific programs of work that address and are responsive to local needs. 

Banner photo: Essential Programme on Immunization (EPI) review team at a health clinic in the Makira province, Solomon Islands.