Emergency vaccination efforts have played a transformative role in controlling deadly disease outbreaks, reducing death rates by nearly 60% over the past two decades, according to a new study published in BMJ Global Health. The research, led by Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, in partnership with Australia’s Burnet Institute, examined 210 outbreaks across 49 low-income countries over a span of 23 years.

The study focused on five major infectious diseases—cholera, Ebola, measles, meningitis, and yellow fever—and highlighted the life-saving impact of swift vaccine deployment during health crises. Overall, the data shows that emergency immunization campaigns led to substantial decreases in both cases and fatalities, showcasing vaccines as essential tools in outbreak response.

Yellow fever and Ebola campaigns demonstrated the most dramatic outcomes, with yellow fever deaths plummeting by 99% and Ebola-related fatalities dropping by 76% in areas where vaccines were rapidly deployed. Measles, another high-transmission virus, saw cases fall by 59% and deaths by 52% due to emergency response measures.

Sania Nishtar, CEO of Gavi, hailed the findings as a powerful endorsement of vaccines’ dual value—both humanitarian and economic. “This study clearly quantifies, for the first time, the immense benefits of using vaccines to tackle outbreak threats. It underlines how crucial rapid deployment and preparedness are in saving lives and protecting economies,” she stated.

Beyond health outcomes, the economic impact was equally striking. The study estimates that emergency vaccinations during these outbreaks delivered nearly $32 billion in savings through averted deaths and disability-related losses. Researchers note that this figure is likely an underestimate, as it doesn’t account for wider economic disruption caused by unchecked epidemics.

The 2014 Ebola crisis in West Africa, which occurred before vaccine availability, cost the region an estimated $53 billion. By contrast, subsequent outbreaks that were met with emergency immunization campaigns saw significantly fewer deaths and prevented broader regional transmission.

Though diseases like cholera and meningitis showed more modest improvements—cholera deaths dropped by 36% and meningitis by 28%—the reductions are still significant in resource-limited settings where healthcare infrastructure is often strained.

The study reinforces the importance of maintaining strong routine immunization systems, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted vaccination programs worldwide. Although COVID-19 vaccines are estimated to have saved 20 million lives in their first year, the pandemic triggered setbacks in coverage for other preventable diseases such as polio and measles.

Looking ahead, Gavi is expanding its strategy for 2026–2030 to include larger vaccine stockpiles, accelerated access to vaccines for emerging threats like mpox and hepatitis E, and stronger support for preventative campaigns in high-risk areas.

As the world faces more frequent and severe outbreaks, the study sends a clear message: vaccines, when deployed quickly and equitably, are not just medical tools—they are economic safeguards and vital components of global health security.