Vaccine bonds launched to help save children’s lives

Japanese investors are now offered not only investment opportunities but also a means to help in immunisation programmes for underprivileged children.

HSBC Securities (Japan) Limited, the International Finance Facility for Immunisation (IFFIm), the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunisation (GAVI Alliance), and the World Bank have launched vaccine investment bonds or "vaccine bonds" in Japan. Issued by IFFIm and under the financial management of the World Bank, the new vaccine bonds will be available to Japanese investors through 19 securities distributors. The offering includes four-year fixed term Australian dollar denominated bonds, four-year fixed term South African rand denominated bonds, and 15-year South African rand denominated deep-discount bond.

Funds raised from the vaccine bonds will be used by GAVI Alliance in its health and immunisation programmes spread out in more than 70 countries. The GAVI Alliance, with year 2015 as end target, aims to protect an additional 500 million children through vaccination. This is projected to be made possible through IFFIm’s provision of a total of US$4 billion to the GAVI Alliance.

Aside from the Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited, the bonds will be available at Ando Securities Co., Ltd., Daisenhinomaru Shoken, Hirogin Utsumiya Securities Co,. Ltd., Tokyo Branch, Ichiyoshi Securities Co., Ltd., Imamura Securities Co., Ltd., Jyoko Shoken Corporation, Kyokuto Securities Co., Ltd., Mito Securities Co., Ltd., Mitsui Securities Co., Ltd., Monex Inc., Okinawa Securities Limited, ORIX Securities Corporation, Rakuten Securities, Inc., SBI Securities Co., Ltd., Shinwa Securities Co., Ltd., Socius Securities Co., Ltd, Takagi Securities Co., Ltd., Toyo Securities Co., Ltd.