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Effective Health Aid: Evidence from Gavi's Vaccine Program

Author

Listed:
  • Gauri Kartini Shastry
  • Daniel L. Tortorice

Abstract

Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance has provided over US$16 billion in funding for vaccination in low- and middle-income countries since 1999. We exploit differential timing across countries and vaccines to estimate the effects of this public health initiative. We find that Gavi's support for a vaccine increased coverage rates by 2–5 percentage points across all vaccines and by 10–20 percentage points for newer vaccines. We also find that Gavi's support reduced child mortality from related causes by 1 child per 1,000 live births. We estimate these improvements saved around 1.5 million lives at a cost of about US$9,000 per life saved.

Suggested Citation

  • Gauri Kartini Shastry & Daniel L. Tortorice, 2025. "Effective Health Aid: Evidence from Gavi's Vaccine Program," American Economic Journal: Economic Policy, American Economic Association, vol. 17(1), pages 540-574, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:aea:aejpol:v:17:y:2025:i:1:p:540-74
    DOI: 10.1257/pol.20230036
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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • F35 - International Economics - - International Finance - - - Foreign Aid
    • F53 - International Economics - - International Relations, National Security, and International Political Economy - - - International Agreements and Observance; International Organizations
    • I12 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Health Behavior
    • I15 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Health and Economic Development
    • I18 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Government Policy; Regulation; Public Health
    • J13 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Fertility; Family Planning; Child Care; Children; Youth
    • O15 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Economic Development: Human Resources; Human Development; Income Distribution; Migration

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