Abt’s analysis of the role of the private sector in Malawi’s provision of immunization services reveals that 27 percent of vaccinations are provided through the private sector via contracting mechanisms with the country’s Ministry of Health. Despite notable standardization of service delivery, the study recommends the government:

• Work with private providers to ensure improved quality of services.
• Investigate the impact of user fees.

The study also finds that Malawi’s unique private public partnership model is worth evaluating as a potential model for other countries.

This report and the underlying study have been supported by a grant secured from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.