India wants to join immunisation global alliance

India is all set to strengthen its immunisation programme by applying for partnership in the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunisation, an International organisation which aligns public and private resources in a global effort to create greater access to the benefits of immunisation. Experts in the Union Health Ministry say that if things go according to plan, India will get 133 million dollars in its kitty in addition to the domestic budget of Rs 1200 crore for the programme.

GAVI members include UNICEF, WHO, the Gates Foundation, the World Bank, developing country governments, donor country governments, the vaccine industry, civil society groups, and research and technical health institutes. Based in Geneva, it coordinates Alliance activities.