Simprints and Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance: Tearing down barriers to vaccination
Yoshinobu Nagamine, Senior Manager for Resource Mobilization at Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, reflects on Gavi’s partnership with Simprints in this guest blog.
In the ever-evolving world of global health, the power of technology, innovation, and accurate data cannot be overstated. As aid faces increasing scrutiny over its effectiveness and delivery, the ability to uniquely identify children enhances accountability and enables the more cost-effective distribution of life-saving vaccines.
As I reflect on the partnership between Simprints and Gavi, it’s clear that our collaboration has not only helped make healthcare more accessible for vulnerable populations but also made health systems more resilient and transparent, with an incredible return on investment.
The INFUSE programme
Our relationship with Simprints began in 2018 under the INFUSE program, a Gavi-led accelerator designed to harness the potential of digital technologies to improve immunisation coverage worldwide.
I had the privilege of being involved in this journey from the start, working closely with the dedicated team at Simprints. The vision was bold, but the potential for impact was even bigger. The INFUSE program was the perfect platform to demonstrate how biometric data could enhance the effectiveness of immunisation efforts, especially for vulnerable populations.
The platform successfully attracted a diverse range of investors, including Foundation Botnar, and the Steele Foundation for Hope, as well as technology giants like NEC and ARM, to collaboratively develop a solution alongside country counterparts.
From the very beginning, Simprints’ mission was clear: they were passionate about helping find, identify, and register children who were otherwise left out of immunisation programs. Using their biometric technology to create unique digital IDs, we were able to bring a new level of precision and reliability to vaccination efforts, while ensuring data privacy remained a core consideration.
Global impact
In Bangladesh we have delivered a pilot programme, working closely with the Bangladesh Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI). With Gavi’s support, Simprints’ technology has been deployed across 50 clinics in Dhaka and Moulvibazar.
So far, 5,499 children have been enrolled while receiving their first measles vaccines, and 2,536 children have been verified against their stored biometric templates to confirm receipt of their subsequent dose.
In 2021, we began a groundbreaking project with Ghana Health Services. Here, biometrics are successfully being used to ensure the life-saving four-dose malaria vaccine reaches vulnerable children across two regions of Ghana.
Driving outcomes with data
It is clear that the data from biometric systems can enhance the accuracy of population estimates and improve decision-making at every level. When we collect biometric data, we’re not just identifying individuals; we’re also building a better, more precise health system.
With better data, we can predict vaccine needs more accurately, ensuring that the right quantities are available at the right time. By integrating biometric data into logistics planning, we can optimise supply chains, reduce waste, and ensure timely delivery of vaccines.
This technology also enables us to allocate resources more effectively, ensuring that vaccines and healthcare services reach the communities that need them most. All of this is crucial in ensuring that no child is left behind due to logistical oversights or inaccurate planning.
What is truly exciting is that this data can also enable predictive models. These models are game-changers, allowing health ministries to plan more effectively and respond faster to shifts in vaccine demand. We are not just solving problems; we are anticipating them—and that is the kind of innovation that can transform entire health systems.
The future of global immunisation
As we continue to move forward, I am confident that the partnership between Simprints and Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, will be a cornerstone of the future of global immunisation. The work we’re doing is not just about technology; it’s about changing the way health systems work for the better.
It has been an exciting journey so far, and we are proud of what we’ve achieved together. As we look ahead, I am more optimistic than ever about the power of collaboration, data and technology to change the future of healthcare.
