One Shot, Long Life!

About this Episode

Zambia is facing a critical immunization gap. Coverage for children under one has plummeted from approximately 84% in 2021 to just 64% in 2023, leaving many of the 700,000 babies born annually vulnerable. This decline is happening as the country faces a stark financial reality: a transition from Gavi support which requires it to increase its co-payment for critical vaccines as per its agreement with Gavi from the outset, and projected general annual vaccine costs approaching $35 million by 2030, taking into due to population increase, increased vaccine costs and the introduction of new vaccines (such as the one against malaria).

In response, Zambia’s lawmakers have formed a groundbreaking parliamentary caucus for immunization financing.

In this episode of "One Shot, Long Life!", host Abel Akara Ticha speaks with the architects of this new strategy:

Hon. Christopher Kang’ombe, Chair of Zambia’s National Assembly Committee on Health
Wesley Kampaya Mwambazi, GHAI’s In-Country Coordinator
Mwila Musonda, Advocacy Officer for the Churches Health Association of Zambia (CHAZ)

They discuss how this bipartisan caucus will use legislative power to address systemic challenges, from low budget execution rates and high vaccine wastage to the need for innovative domestic financing.

Join us to learn how Zambia is turning political will into legislative action to secure a healthy future for every child.