In the global health arena, sustainable immunisation financing poses a pressing challenge, particularly for low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs) with historically underfunded systems. Despite the COVID-19 pandemic highlighting the urgency of self-reliant health systems, many nations still heavily rely on donor funds for routine immunisation. Against a backdrop of economic constraints and political instability, securing sufficient allocations for immunisation within national budgets remains uncertain.
However, a Lancet Correspondence by Uchenna A Amaechi and colleagues proposes national health insurance as an innovative solution to cofinance immunisation services. This strategy, already adopted by many countries to drive progress towards universal health coverage, offers a promising avenue to redirect pooled funds towards primary healthcare, including immunisation. By outlining key recommendations for action, the authors advocate for a paradigm shift in healthcare financing, urging stakeholders to explore national health insurance as a vital funding source for immunisation, especially in LMICs.
