In 2006, Gavi commissioned a study by independent consultants HLSP London to examine its Accelerated Development and Introduction Plans (ADIPs) and the Hib Initiative (HI); the study was overseen by a Steering Committee. The ADIPs evaluation study was completed in February 2007 and endorsed by the board in May 2007 with a managerial response given.

BACKGROUND

Gavi created the ADIPs in 2002, in response to delays in the uptake of new vaccines in developing countries. The first ADIPS were set-up in February 2003 and focused on rotavirus and pneumococcal conjugate vaccines with a financing of US$ 30 million each.

Gavi created the ADIPs in 2002, in response to delays in the uptake of new vaccines in developing countries. The first ADIPS were set-up in February 2003 and focused on rotavirus and pneumococcal conjugate vaccines with a financing of US$ 30 million each.

Pneumo ADIP, located at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, aimed to improve child survival and health by accelerating the evaluation of and access to new life saving pneumococcal vaccines for the world's children.

The Rota ADIP, called the PATH Rotavirus Vaccine Program (RVP) and based in Seattle in the United States, was created to accelerate the vaccine introduction process and to make rotavirus vaccines available to children in developing countries as quickly as possible. It is a partnership with WHO and the US Centers for Disease Control (CDC).

The Hib Initiative (HI) was approved in June 2005 because of the slow uptake of Haemophilus Influenzae type b (Hib) vaccine into developing countries, despite the availability of Gavi funds. Established for a period of four years with a financing of US$ 28 million, plus US$ 9 million for the India Hib Vaccine Probe Study, HI was composed of a consortium of four members, including Johns Hopkins University, CDC, WHO, and the London School of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene. Its mission: to expedite and sustain evidence informed decisions regarding the use of Hib vaccination, in order to prevent childhood meningitis and pneumonia.

OBJECTIVES

The study aimed to:

• take stock of the way the environment for new vaccine development and introduction has evolved over the past four years;
• assess the progress made and highlight the lessons learnt through the innovative ADIPs approach, the Hib initiative and other new vaccine;
• introduction related Gavi supported activities;
• make recommendations to the Gavi Board on the structure and finance [of] its continued support in this priority area in the coming years.

METHOD

The methodology used was consultation of available documentation and semistructured interviews with a variety of stakeholders at country, industry, and donor level, and then fitting this information into the framework of the "virtuous cycle."

FINDINGS

The final study assesses the performance of each of the ADIPs and HI against three categories:

1. achievements;

2. gaps and constraints;

3. value for money;

4. roles and impact at country level.