Former New Zealand PM Helen Clark Appointed Gavi Board Chair to Drive Global Immunisation Push

Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, announced that Rt Hon Helen Clark, former Prime Minister of New Zealand, will become its new Chair of the Board, beginning January 2026.

Clark succeeds Professor José Manuel Barroso, whose two-term leadership from 2021 to 2025 saw Gavi navigate the COVID-19 pandemic, scale up HPV vaccinations, and introduce the malaria vaccine among other achievements.

Her appointment followed an eight-month search process in which more than 240 candidates were considered. The Search Committee pointed to her extensive experience leading at both national and international levels, her role in multistakeholder organisations, and her long record of mentoring and policy advocacy.

As Chair, Clark will help steer Gavi’s next strategic period, which includes enhancing immunisation services in fragile and conflict-affected regions, executing the Gavi Leap reform programme to place supported countries more centrally in operations, and building on progress made on routine immunisation coverage.

Share to: