Citing an alarming dismissal of scientific concerns, Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has cut off billions in U.S. funding to a global vaccine group.
The decision has a direct impact on Gavi due to a lack of accountability for $8 billion in American taxpayer money.
The bold move signals the Trump administration’s commitment to ensuring vaccine safety and proper oversight of international health organizations receiving American funds.
Kennedy delivered his decision via video message to a Gavi conference in Brussels, where the organization was seeking to raise $9 billion for future vaccination programs.
In his address, the secretary did not mince words about why he was pulling American support from the world’s largest vaccine distributor.
“When the science was inconvenient, Gavi ignored the science,” Kennedy stated firmly. “I call on Gavi today to re-earn the public trust and to justify the $8 billion that America has provided in funding since 2001.”
The U.S. has been Gavi’s largest donor, contributing approximately $5 billion, nearly double the amount provided by the United Kingdom.
The organization had been counting on continued American support, as the previous administration had pledged an additional $1 billion through 2030 before Kennedy’s intervention.
The secretary’s decision aligns with the Trump administration’s broader strategy of demanding accountability from international organizations receiving American taxpayer dollars.
The administration has also withdrawn support from the World Health Organization and various UN agencies that failed to demonstrate proper stewardship of U.S. funds.
Kennedy specifically questioned Gavi’s safety procedures and expressed concerns about the organization downplaying vaccine safety issues in poor communities.
His statement comes as he shakes up the U.S. vaccine advisory panel with experts who will prioritize thorough safety evaluations over rushed vaccine implementation.
In response, Gavi issued a statement claiming their programs follow World Health Organization recommendations and are evidence-based.
However, this defense did little to address Kennedy’s core concerns about scientific dismissal and financial accountability for the billions already received.
“Gavi fully concurs with the Secretary for Health and Human Services on the need to consider all available science, and remains committed to continuing an evidence-based and scientific approach to its work and investment decisions, as it always has done,” the group said.
As founder of Children’s Health Defense, Kennedy has long advocated for greater vaccine safety and transparency.
His appointment as Health Secretary signaled the administration’s commitment to addressing vaccine safety concerns that many Americans believe have been dismissed by the medical establishment.
The funding withdrawal represents a significant financial blow to Gavi, which is a partnership involving the WHO, UNICEF, the Gates Foundation, and the World Bank.
Without U.S. support, the organization will face challenges continuing its vaccination programs in developing nations.
The administration has made it clear that while it supports global health initiatives, it will not write blank checks to organizations that dismiss scientific evidence or legitimate safety concerns.
