American Economic Journal:
Economic Policy
ISSN 1945-7731 (Print) | ISSN 1945-774X (Online)
Effective Health Aid: Evidence from Gavi's Vaccine Program
American Economic Journal: Economic Policy
vol. 17,
no. 1, February 2025
(pp. 540–74)
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.Citation
Shastry, Gauri Kartini, and Daniel L. Tortorice. 2025. "Effective Health Aid: Evidence from Gavi's Vaccine Program." American Economic Journal: Economic Policy 17 (1): 540–74. DOI: 10.1257/pol.20230036Additional Materials
JEL Classification
- F35 Foreign Aid
- F53 International Agreements and Observance; International Organizations
- I12 Health Behavior
- I15 Health and Economic Development
- I18 Health: Government Policy; Regulation; Public Health
- J13 Fertility; Family Planning; Child Care; Children; Youth
- O15 Economic Development: Human Resources; Human Development; Income Distribution; Migration
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