With the 2029 deadline for self-financing fast approaching, Ghana’s Parliament has officially moved to the frontlines of public health. The launch of the Parliamentarian Caucus on Immunization marks a decisive shift in the country's strategy to protect its children, transforming immunization from a health service into a top-tier national health priority.

The establishment of the Caucus is a critical milestone in strengthening political leadership, oversight, and accountability. As a powerful new platform, it is designed to advance vaccine financing and ensure that the commitment to child survival remains a permanent national priority.

Ghana has long been a regional beacon of success, with routine immunization coverage (DTP3) consistently exceeding 95 percent. However, recent localized outbreaks of measles and rubella in 2023 and 2024 have served as a stark reminder that progress is fragile. Gaps driven by vaccine stockouts and uneven access continue to threaten children in underserved areas. The Caucus aims to ensure that no child’s health is determined by their geography or temporary disruptions in the vaccine supply chain.

The timing of this launch is strategic. Ghana is approaching a pivotal transition point as it prepares to exit the Gavi co-financing mechanism in December 2029. This shift presents a unique challenge: sustaining high-impact health outcomes while moving toward full domestic ownership.

The Parliamentarian Caucus will play a central role in:

• Securing Sustainable Financing: Advocating for the development of sustainable financing solutions for vaccines, and timely release of national funds to meet co- financing commitments

• Promoting Operational Excellence: Advocating and holding stakeholders accountable for the effective implementation of the Vaccine Transition Roadmap, customs clearance, and supply chain processes to prevent shortages.

This initiative was made possible through the collective efforts of Hope For Future Generations, Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), World Health Organization (WHO) and other key partners.

By uniting lawmakers under a common goal, Ghana is moving decisively toward a future where every child regardless of where they are born is shielded from preventable diseases. UNICEF remains a steadfast partner to the Caucus, committed to helping Ghana protect its past achievements while building a more resilient, self-sustaining future.