Two major development institutions are joining forces to help Asian countries pay for vaccines and build stronger health systems that can handle climate challenges, as a part of a partnership. Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) signed a cooperation agreement aimed at finding sustainable ways to finance immunization programs across 32 countries in the Asia-Pacific region. The timing couldn’t be better – many nations are struggling to fund their vaccine programs while also dealing with health threats made worse by climate change.
The partnership comes as both organizations are ramping up their efforts in different ways. The Asian Development Bank is boosting its lending power by $100 billion over the next decade, with much of that money focused on helping countries adapt to climate impacts. Meanwhile, Gavi is pushing countries to take more responsibility for funding their own vaccination programs, with nations now contributing record amounts of domestic money toward vaccine costs.
The collaboration makes sense given how climate change is creating new health challenges across Asia. Rising temperatures, changing weather patterns, and more frequent disasters are affecting everything from disease patterns to healthcare infrastructure. Countries need vaccination programs that can work even when floods wash out clinics or heat waves strain power grids that keep vaccines cold.
Asian Development Bank officials emphasized the importance of building health systems that can provide universal coverage and security for the region. The partnership will help developing member countries strengthen their vaccination programs while preparing for future pandemics. Both organizations see robust immunization policies as essential for countries trying to balance immediate health needs with long-term climate adaptation.
The agreement focuses on finding practical financing solutions that countries can actually implement and sustain over time. Rather than just providing one-time funding, both organizations want to help nations develop vaccine financing systems that will keep working even as they face budget pressures and climate-related emergencies.
