GAVI, the Vaccine Alliance has launched a campaign to raise at least $500 million for its INFUSE 2.0 innovation hub to accelerate immunization systems upgrades for the world’s most in-need countries.

INFUSE 2.0 features a collective of commercial and philanthropic investors focused on supporting global health entrepreneurs. The initiative also introduces a first-of-its-kind digital platform to simplify connections between communities, innovators, and the private sector. The initiative builds on Innovation for Uptake, Scale and Equity in Immunisation (INFUSE) 1.0, launched in 2016, which has cultivated a community of start-up innovators overcoming vaccine delivery challenges.

Commitments to the new effort to date include renewed funding and support from Google.org, which includes $25 million in donated search advertisements and expertise; $1.5 million from the Coca-Cola Foundation through Project Last Mile, a public-private partnership to strengthen health systems across Africa with Coca-Cola’s business and technical expertise; and $2 million from Alwaleed Philanthropies.

“The pandemic has rolled back years of progress improving vaccine coverage in the world’s most vulnerable countries,” said GAVI chief executive Seth Berkley. “With millions more children now at risk of deadly, preventable diseases, we need to ensure the most promising, most scalable innovations reach the countries that need them, urgently. INFUSE 2.0 can do just that, bringing together investors looking for impact with entrepreneurs who can deliver it to help protect children across the world.”

(Photo credit: Getty Images/Fat Camera)