US cuts funding to Gavi citing concerns over science, transparency

The United States has decided to withdraw its financial support from the global vaccine alliance (Gavi), with Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. accusing the organisation of disregarding scientific evidence and eroding public trust.

A pre-recorded video of Kennedy's remarks was played at a Gavi donor conference in Brussels on Wednesday, where the alliance is seeking to raise at least $9 billion to fund its operations over the next five years.

Gavi, a partnership that includes the World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and the World Bank, has facilitated the vaccination of over 1 billion children worldwide, preventing an estimated 18 million deaths.

The U.S. has traditionally been one of Gavi's major donors, previously pledging $1 billion through 2030 before President Trump's re-election.

Kennedy criticised Gavi's approach, calling for the alliance to "regain public trust and demonstrate accountability for the $8 billion the U.S. has provided since 2001." He insisted that the organisation must incorporate "the best available science, even when it challenges existing narratives," and warned that no further U.S. funding would be forthcoming until those standards are met.

A known vaccine sceptic, Kennedy also expressed concerns over Gavi and WHO's collaboration with social media companies during the Covid-19 pandemic, accusing them of "suppressing dissent, limiting free speech, and disregarding legitimate safety concerns."

Kennedy specifically questioned Gavi's ongoing recommendations, such as promoting Covid-19 vaccinations for pregnant women and funding the distribution of vaccines for diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis (DTP) in low-income countries.

WHO and leading health authorities have consistently advocated for COVID-19 vaccination among pregnant women, citing their elevated risk of severe illness.

Kennedy, however, referenced research claiming that young girls vaccinated with the DTP shot faced higher mortality rates from other causes compared to unvaccinated peers.

In response, Gavi emphasised its commitment to child health and safety, stating that its vaccine purchases are guided by WHO's independent expert recommendations.

The alliance underscored that its decisions are rooted in rigorous scientific evaluation and public health needs.

"Gavi's investments are based on the best available science," the organisation said, adding that concerns raised about the DTP vaccine have been reviewed by global scientists, and that the vaccine has significantly contributed to reducing child mortality rates by half.

Meanwhile, the UK government announced a renewed commitment of 1.25 billion pounds ($1.7 billion) to Gavi for 2026-2030.

British officials said the funding would help protect up to 500 million children in some of the world's most vulnerable regions from deadly diseases like meningitis, cholera, and measles.