US Withdraws $1B Funding from Global Vaccine Alliance Gavi

U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced that the United States is withdrawing its funding from the global vaccines alliance Gavi, accusing the organization of ignoring scientific evidence and losing public trust. Kennedy criticized Gavi’s partnership with the World Health Organization during the COVID-19 pandemic, alleging suppression of dissenting views and raising concerns about vaccine safety, including questioning the safety of the diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis vaccine. This withdrawal contributes to a significant funding shortfall for Gavi, which was seeking at least $9 billion at a recent summit, and the U.S. had previously pledged $1 billion through 2030. The funding cuts by the U.S. and the U.K. threaten millions of children worldwide with reduced access to affordable vaccines, potentially resulting in hundreds of thousands of preventable deaths, particularly in vulnerable populations. Medical organizations such as Doctors Without Borders have condemned the decision as reckless and warned of its deadly consequences in humanitarian settings. Despite these criticisms, Gavi and health authorities emphasize their commitment to vaccine safety and adherence to expert recommendations.