Former finance minister, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, has announced that Gavi, an initiative aimed at improving access to immunisation in poor countries, whose board she chairs, has been awarded the 2019 Lasker-Bloomberg Public Service Award.
According to her in a tweet on Wednesday, the award is for the organisation’s work on immunising children around the world and saving lives.
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“Wonderful news! @Gavi has been named the 2019 recipient of the prestigious Lasker-Bloomberg Public Service Award for its work on immunising World’s children and saving lives! Congrats to our partners, donors, staff & beneficiaries. It takes a village and the village is delivering,” she said.
On receiving the award, Mrs Okonjo-Iweala said: “On behalf of the hundreds of thousands of vaccinators, health workers and partners that make up our Vaccine Alliance, we are delighted to receive the Lasker-Bloomberg Public Service Award.
“All children have the right to be protected against deadly diseases. In the coming years, Gavi will redouble efforts to extend immunisation services to those most marginalised and furthest behind.”
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Gavi, The Vaccine Alliance is a public-private global health partnership committed to increasing access to immunisation in poor countries.
It was founded in January 2000 by Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation with headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland.
