To address these barriers to access, CHAI is pursuing four strategic objectives to support governments to increase access to immunization, ensuring that more children are protected from vaccine-preventable diseases. These objectives are to:
1. Increase the speed and efficiency with which new vaccines are introduced in developing countries;
2. Enhance the performance and efficiency of vaccine cold chain and logistics systems;
3. Enhance planning, resourcing, and implementation of immunization strategy; and
4. Increase access to effective vaccines by negotiating lower prices for vaccines and immunization supply chain equipment.
CHAI pursues these goals through a combination of work globally and in focus countries, which include Cameroon, Ethiopia, Kenya, Mozambique, Nigeria, Tanzania, and Uganda.
1. Increase the speed and efficiency with which new vaccines are introduced.
CHAI’s work to accelerate the introduction of new vaccines is focused on the introduction of Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib), rotavirus, and pneumococcal vaccines, which target the leading causes of child mortality: pneumonia and diarrhea. To date, approximately 135,000 deaths per year have been averted from CHAI-supported new vaccine introductions in our focus countries. In addition, CHAI is supporting governments to introduce the Inactivated Polio Vaccine (IPV) and switching the Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV) in use, which are critical steps to achieving polio eradication worldwide.
2. Enhance the performance and efficiency of vaccine cold chain logistics systems.
CHAI’s work to improve vaccine cold chain and logistics systems aims to increase and sustain effective immunization coverage of existing and new vaccines by improving the safety and potency of vaccines administered, the adequacy of immunization supplies when and where they are needed, and the efficiency of the vaccine delivery system. Since vaccines are very sensitive to temperature, it is crucial that they are kept in a cold chain at the right temperature until they are administered. CHAI supports governments to carry out robust cold chain planning, funding, and implementation; develop reliable temperature monitoring and control systems; accelerate adoption of impactful appropriate new cold chain products; and improve stock management and distribution systems.
3. Enhance planning, resourcing & implementation of immunization strategy
CHAI aims to improve the processes and capabilities of vaccines program in focus countries to develop and implement powerful immunization strategies and to sustainably improve outcomes. Specifically, CHAI supports governments to improve identification and planning of strategic and annual priorities, mobilization of resources towards those priorities, and implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of key interventions.
4. Lower prices of key vaccines and cold chain equipment
Through our partnerships with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, UK Department for International Development (DFID), and the Canadian Departments of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development (DFATD), CHAI has generated over US$1 billion in savings via negotiating lower vaccine and vaccine supply chain equipment prices for developing countries. CHAI is also supporting vaccine manufacturers in low-income countries to develop a pipeline of high-quality, affordable vaccines, and is working with manufacturers of vaccine supply chain equipment to develop products tailored to developing country contexts.