Although there exist effective vaccines for many life-threatening diseases, access to these technologies remains limited in many low and middle income countries. This project address the question: Why are some low-income countries and communities therein far more successful than others in immunizing children – despite unfavourable political and economic circumstances?

By focusing upon social processes where supply meets demand, the study explores the impact policy regimes, political economy and social institutions have on local responses to immunization.

Detailed community studies are being conducted in Malawi and India, by applying a standardized survey tool across and within cases.

The Project is headed by the Centre for Development and Environment (SUM) and several other units of the University of Oslo also play key parts. The contribution of FNI is mainly in terms of theory and methodology based on what lessons can be learned from the study of international environmental regimes.

Project period: 2008-2012