Sixteen countries are currently scheduled to ‘graduate’ from GAVI assistance by 2018. Five of these countries were chosen for ‘transition planning’ support from GAVI and other partners in 2012. Through country assessments, a variety of challenges were identified in transitioning away from GAVI assistance towards national self-sufficiency, including concerns relating to financial sustainability, sound procurement practices, effective national regulatory agencies, and adequate capacity for immunization planning and advocacy. Lessons learned from these five country experiences will help improve future assistance to graduating countries, as well as similar transitions in other areas, such as AIDS, malaria and family planning.