Dr Charles Tannock MEP, who represents our London group members, submitted this question on GAVI:

Subject: The optimal size of the EU budget for assisting vaccination programmes in the developing world.

"I have been contacted by members of my constituency regarding financial support for GAVI from the EU.

Has the commission carried out research into the econometrics or financial needs assessments of the EU vaccination policy in third countries, and if so, what is, in the commissions opinion, the right amount of funding to be spent in total terms or as a proportion of allocated aid from EU funds to support the safe delivery of effective medical vaccination in the developing world"

He recently received this response:

"Overall the Commission is committed to contribute to achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), including MDGs 4 and 5, and strengthening health systems in developing countries. For both, partner governments inter alia need to have the means to vaccinate their children.

A major instrument of the Commission to support partner governments is General Budget Support. Most such operations have targets set o vaccine coverage, with disbursements of variable tranches partly linked to their attainments. This gives the commission an opportunity to include the issue of vaccination in its policy dialogue with the government.

Furthermore the Commission has specific programmes and interventions:

1. At global level, through GAVI

To date the commission has committed EUR 73.4 million to support immunisation programmes through seven grants to GAVI.

2. At county level where health is a focal sector of EU cooperation, through health sector policy support programmes, Sector Budget Support and projects to support vaccination e. g. in Nigeria, and maternal health.

As most of the EU support is un-earmarked support to partner countries through general budget support and Sector Budget Support, it is up to the countries to identify their specific needs for vaccines.