Dubravka Bošnjak: GAVI Returned Funds for Undelivered Vaccines, We Finish This Chapter

The Ministry of Civil Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina, in cooperation with the Office of the Attorney General of BiH, has successfully concluded the process of returning funds in the amount of $1,959,973.00, which were previously paid to the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (GAVI) for the procurement of COVID-19 vaccines. The refund was achieved after complex negotiations and legal procedures led by the Ministry, in collaboration with the Office of the Attorney General of BiH. These funds include a discount from the vaccine manufacturer Novavax, interest, and unused operational costs within the COVAX programme.

During the process, the Ministry successfully reached an agreement on a one-time refund, an option unanimously supported by the relevant institutions of the entities and Brčko District.

The Minister of Civil Affairs of BiH, Dubravka Bošnjak, stated that this refund represents "an important step toward closing this chapter," emphasizing that the Ministry was persistent in seeking solutions and ensuring responsible management of public funds.

It is worth recalling that in 2020, with the consent of the relevant health authorities of the entities and Brčko District, Bosnia and Herzegovina joined the COVAX initiative to ensure access to COVID-19 vaccines. However, problems with vaccine deliveries led to a request for a refund. Although BiH ordered a total of 1,232,000 vaccine doses through COVAX, only 332,640 doses were delivered, which accounts for 27% of the ordered quantities. This situation caused uncertainty in vaccine procurement and further strained the healthcare system. Through continuous communication and consideration of legal options, the Ministry succeeded in securing the return of the remaining funds.