WASHINGTON, June 25, 2025 – The United States will end its financial support for Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, citing concerns about safety oversight, according to an announcement by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday, Kennedy said Gavi—an organization that has helped vaccinate over a billion children in low-income countries—”ignores safety” and no longer aligns with the health priorities of the current administration.
What is Gavi?
Founded in 2000, Gavi is a public-private partnership that pools international funding to provide vaccines to some of the world’s poorest populations. Its backers include the World Health Organization, UNICEF, the World Bank, and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. The U.S. has historically been one of its largest donors.
A sudden shift
The decision to halt funding comes despite Gavi’s widely recognized role in improving global immunization rates and responding to crises such as COVID-19. In 2021, the U.S. pledged $4 billion to Gavi over multiple years as part of its COVID-19 vaccine rollout strategy.
Kennedy’s remarks signal a dramatic policy shift from previous administrations, both Republican and Democrat, which supported Gavi’s mission as central to global health diplomacy.
Reaction from the global health community
Global health leaders and humanitarian groups have expressed alarm. “This decision risks undermining decades of progress in childhood immunization,” said one WHO official. Some fear that lower-income countries could face vaccine shortages or delays in the near future.
Gavi, in response, reiterated its commitment to vaccine safety and transparency, saying it is seeking clarification from the U.S. government while continuing programs with other partners.
What’s next?
The financial implications for Gavi are still unclear, but the loss of U.S. funding may force the alliance to reassess budgets and vaccine rollout plans in vulnerable regions. Advocacy groups are urging Congress and international donors to intervene or fill the funding gap.