U.S. To End Funding For Global Vaccine Alliance Gavi

Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has announced that the United States will end its financial support for Gavi, the global vaccine alliance, accusing the organization of neglecting safety concerns—despite offering no public evidence. Mariam E. Sunny and Jennifer Rigby reported for Reuters.

Kennedy called on Gavi to “re-earn the public trust” and justify the $8 billion in U.S. funding since 2001.

In a video message aired at a Gavi fundraising event in Brussels, Kennedy—long known for his vaccine skepticism—criticized the group for its guidance on COVID-19 vaccines and expressed concerns over the DTPw (diphtheria-tetanus-whole cell pertussis) vaccine.

He called on Gavi to “re-earn the public trust” and justify the $8 billion in U.S. funding since 2001.

“Until that happens, the United States won’t contribute more,” Kennedy said. In response, Gavi said it prioritizes safety and bases its work on recommendations from the World Health Organization.

The alliance reaffirmed its confidence in the DTPw vaccine, which it credits with helping halve child mortality in supported countries since 2000.

“We fully concur with the Secretary of Health and Human Services on the need to consider all available science,” Gavi said in a statement, “and we remain committed to an evidence-based approach to all our decisions.”