Gavi CEO injects new level of support for Pacific Island nations

Dr Sania Nishtar, CEO of Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, visited Canberra this week to meet with Australian partners to discuss a range of matters relating to international development – including Australia's leadership and commitment to tackling cervical cancer in the Indo-Pacific region. 

Australian Government representatives, development partners and Australia-based Pacific heads of diplomatic missions came together for roundtable meetings to discuss opportunities to enhance vaccine access and health outcomes across the region.

Gavi entered into two new agreements – with the Prevention of Cervical Cancer (ACPCC) and the Kirby Institute – to strengthen efforts in the fight against cervical cancer in the Pacific. These partnerships will enable even more girls to receive the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine across the region in 2025.

NCIRS will support HPV vaccine programs in the region as part of the Elimination Partnership in the Indo-Pacific for Cervical Cancer (EPICC) consortium.

Speaking at the ‘Vaccines: saving lives, transforming communities’ event – held at the Australian National University after the roundtable – Dr Nishtar highlighted the importance of current vaccination programs in the region. 

‘I’m honoured and privileged to be here,’ Dr Nishtar said. ‘What Australia does for Pacific Island countries in the region is amazing.’

When asked about building trust for a healthier world in the vaccine space, Dr Nishtar said, ‘The noise is disproportionate to the problem when it comes to trust in vaccines. There is a certain mistrust factor generated due to the high-visibility vaccination program of COVID-19, and it is critical that credible champions bring scientific evidence to the table to counter this trend.’

As Gavi CEO, Dr Nishtar is leading efforts to improve access to vaccines for children through programs offering special dispensations to low- and middle-income countries. She joined an expert panel – including NCIRS’ Global Health Technical Lead Dr Sarah Sheridan – to discuss innovative solutions and strategies to tackle current and emerging global health challenges in Indo-Pacific countries. 

Dr Sheridan spoke on trust and the importance of partnerships. ‘To achieve our immunisation project goals, it’s essential to have a deep understanding with partners, to share common values and goals and to recognise achievements of partners along the way. There needs to be listening, respect, openness and transparency from the beginning for co-design of the project,’ she said. 

Dr Sheridan went on to say, ‘Opportunities for capacity building through mentorship training provides a level of program sustainability – which is paramount to immunisation programs – including a level of adaptation to changing priorities and continuous improvement.’

Gavi works with governments, the private sector and civil society to ensure vaccines are available and affordable to the world’s most vulnerable populations. Since 2000, Gavi has vaccinated more than 1.1 billion children in 78 countries, averting more than 18.8 million deaths. An expected 8 million more lives will be protected in the next five years.

NCIRS is one of Gavi’s partners in Australia, working to strengthen health systems in the region.

Banner photo: Panel of experts (L to R) – Dr Sania Nishtar, Dr Sarah Sheridan, Dr Paulus Ripa, Rebecca Emori and Professor Esperanza Martinez