A life-changing investment

Vaccines are among humanity’s greatest public health achievements and a major pillar of UNICEF’s global mission for children.

In the last 50 years, vaccines have helped to reduce child mortality by 80% and saved 154 million lives.

That’s six people, every minute, for five decades.

Today, UNICEF reaches almost half of the world’s children under five with life-saving vaccines each year.

Vaccination provides children with benefits that can last their lifetimes. It is not only the safest protection from deadly diseases – vaccinated children grow up stronger and do better at school, with economic benefits that ripple sustainably across whole communities.

All while being incredibly cost effective and delivering a return on investment of at least €20 for every €1 spent.

A baby is vaccinated in a UNICEF-led immunisation campaign at the health centre of Gonzagueville, a suburb of Abidjan, in the South of Côte d’Ivoire. ©UNICEF/UNI316684/Dejongh

Help protect children for life. 

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What is The Vaccine Fund?

The Vaccine Fund is a unique opportunity to pool your resources with other UNICEF supporters to maximise your impact for children by helping us reach every child with lifesaving vaccines.

We encourage you to be ambitious and become a part of UNICEF’s vision for a world where no child will die or suffer from a preventable disease.

UNICEF’s work for children is completely voluntary funded, and therefore relies entirely on vital contributions from our supporters.

UNICEF’s Approach

As the largest single vaccine buyer in the world, UNICEF procures more than 2 billion doses of vaccines annually for routine childhood immunisation and outbreak response.

In over 100 countries, we work with governments, businesses, non-governmental organisations, and other UN agencies to engage communities, procure and distribute vaccines, keep supplies safe and effective, and facilitate affordable access for even the hardest-to-reach families.

Vaccine delivery is just one aspect of our work in this field. UNICEF also invests in community health systems to improve supply chains, data systems and disease surveillance – helping more children receive the protection they need.

Vaccinating every child also means investing in new approaches with the promise of ensuring sustainable, equitable funding and a pipeline of game-changing vaccines and cutting-edge technologies.

Child immunisation in conflict-affected areas

Around forty per cent of un- and under-vaccinated children live in countries that are either partially or entirely affected by conflict. These children are often the most vulnerable to disease outbreaks like measles and polio, which can cause death or profound disability. Children in conflict-affected areas miss out on basic immunisations because of the breakdown – and sometimes the deliberate destruction – of vital health services. Areas in conflict also see the killing of health workers and the destruction of medical facilities, supplies and equipment. The resultant population displacement, malnutrition and over-crowding create an ideal environment for disease outbreaks and means children are far more likely to die or suffer from conditions that could be easily and inexpensively treated in a peaceful setting.

UNICEF vaccination teams brave rough terrain, cross hostile conflict lines and put their lives at risk to immunise children. This includes negotiating corridors of peace and days of tranquillity with armed groups that allow vaccinators to access conflict-affected areas and deliver essential health interventions including immunisation.

During the second round of the polio vaccination campaign in the Gaza Strip, a mobile team in Khan Yunis is providing children with polio vaccinations and Vitamin A. © UNICEF/UNI668492/El Baba

Spotlight on Gaza and Sudan

In the Gaza Strip, around 94 per cent of a target population of 591,714 children under 10 years received two doses of the oral polio vaccine between September and November 2024 (pictured). The success of the campaign has been a remarkable achievement for UNICEF and partners given the extremely difficult circumstances it was executed under.

Sudan is among the first African countries to introduce the ground-breaking malaria vaccine, a significant accomplishment in a country grappling with ongoing conflict. Recommended for children aged 5–12 months, the vaccine rollout is being supported by UNICEF and partners, and is expected to dramatically reduced child hospital admission and mortality from the disease.

Make a life-changing investment. Support the Vaccine Fund.

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YOUR IMPACT FOR CHILDREN:

  • €5,000 could help protect 26,260 children from polio or deliver lifesaving diphtheria, tetanus and whooping cough vaccines for 21,000 children.
  • €10,000 could fully vaccinate 4,600 women of childbearing age against maternal and neonatal tetanus in endemic countries.
  • €30,000 could fund an advocacy programme for 25,000 caregivers to build understanding of immunisation and address concerns about vaccines.
  • €50,000 could ensure that 860 children are covered by the full vaccination schedule against 11 different diseases before reaching 2 years of age.

YOUR EXPERIENCE AS A SUPPORTER:

  • Access to a dedicated contact point at UNICEF Ireland to keep you connected and on the inside track.
  • Impact reports and updates on UNICEF’s immunisation programmes, so you can see the life-changing returns on your generosity.
  • Invites to UNICEF expert web briefings on relevant programmes, including opportunities for Q&A with UNICEF programme teams.
  • Digital assets and acknowledgement opportunities for corporate support.
  • Visit UNICEF Supply Division in Copenhagen for a behind-the-scenes look at the logistics operation that makes UNICEF’s vast vaccination programmes possible. (Dependent on level of support.)
  • The knowledge that your support is protecting children and communities worldwide from the scourge of deadly diseases and you are helping to save lives every day. The lifelong protection provided by vaccines means that the benefits of your generosity will cascade well into the future.

Other ways to support the Vaccine Fund

Your support can help UNICEF to reach more children with lifesaving vaccines.

To donate by cheque please send to: Freepost, UNICEF Ireland, 33 Lower Ormond Quay, Dublin 1 D01 R283

Corporate Partnerships

Businesses looking to support can contact Owen Buckley, Head of Corporate Partnerships: owen@unicef.ie or 087 096 7744

Philanthropy & Major Gifts

If you or your family office would like to provide support, you can contact Donna Marie O’Donovan, Head of Philanthropy: donna.marie@unicef.ie 

A nurse travels by river to reach children in remote communities in Ecuador as part of a UNICEF immunisation programme. © UNICEF/UN0826264/Vallejo Prut

Make a life-changing investment. Support the Vaccine Fund.

Donate now

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Flexible Funding

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Children's Emergency Fund

For children in humanitarian emergencies everywhere.

Philanthropy

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Shape the Future

Combine your vision with our global reach.