In a bold and controversial move, U.S. Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced on June 25, 2025, that the United States will cease all financial contributions to Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, a global organization co-founded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Kennedy’s decision, which has sent shockwaves through the global health community, is rooted in his long-standing skepticism about vaccine safety, particularly regarding COVID-19 vaccines and the diphtheria-tetanus-whole cell pertussis (DTPw) vaccine. This dramatic policy shift has sparked heated debates about the balance between public health, scientific evidence, and international cooperation.
He accused Gavi of neglecting vaccine safety, making questionable recommendations around Covid-19 vaccines and silencing dissenting views.
Kennedy said the group, whose founding partner and largest donor is the Gates Foundation, “ignores the science” when it comes to vaccine safety and has called on Gavi to “re-earn the public trust” before the U.S. would reconsider its decision.
In an interview with the Finanical Times, Bill Gates said the Gates Foundation would not be filling the gap in funding and has called on governments to keep funding the vaccine alliance.
Gates has however pledged $1.6 billion over
the next 5 years to help support Gavi’s vaccine efforts…But the press
release announcing his pledge doesn’t mention safety once!
Al Jazeera reports: In a video that aired at a Gavi fundraising event in Brussels on Wednesday, Kennedy said the group had made questionable recommendations around COVID-19 vaccines. He also raised concerns about the diphtheria-tetanus-whole cell pertussis vaccine, known by the acronym DTPw, though he provided no evidence to support those fears.
“I call on Gavi today to re-earn the public trust and to justify the $8bn that America has provided in funding since 2001,” Kennedy said in the video.
Kennedy added that Gavi should consider all available science before investing in vaccines. “Until that happens, the United States won’t contribute more,” he said.
The details of the video were first reported by the publication Politico and later by the news outlet Reuters.
Gavi said in a detailed statement that safety was one of its top priorities and that it acts in line with World Health Organization recommendations.
The statement also indicated that Gavi has full confidence in the DTPw vaccine, which it credits with having helped to cut child mortality in half in the countries it supports since 2000.
“The DTPw vaccine has been administered to millions of children around the world for decades, and is estimated to have saved more than 40 million lives over the past 50 years,” the statement notes.
The Announcement and Its Context
In a video address delivered to a Gavi fundraising summit in Brussels, Kennedy accused the alliance of “ignoring the science” on vaccine safety and making “questionable recommendations” about COVID-19 vaccines. He also expressed concerns about the DTPw vaccine, though he did not provide specific evidence to substantiate his claims. “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,” Kennedy stated, emphasizing that the U.S. would not resume contributions until Gavi adopts a more rigorous, evidence-based approach to vaccine safety. Reuters first reported the details of this video, which was later covered by Politico.
Gavi, established in 2000, has been instrumental in vaccinating over 1.1 billion children in low- and middle-income countries, saving an estimated 20 million lives through its efforts to combat diseases like polio, measles, malaria, and mpox. The U.S. has been one of Gavi’s largest donors, contributing approximately 13% of its budget, including a $2.53 billion pledge from the Biden administration for 2022–2030. Kennedy’s decision to halt this funding aligns with the Trump administration’s broader push to reduce foreign aid but has raised concerns about its potential impact on global health initiatives.
Gavi’s Response and Global Reactions
Gavi swiftly responded, reaffirming its commitment to vaccine safety and alignment with the World Health Organization’s (WHO) recommendations. In a detailed statement, the alliance emphasized that its vaccine portfolio decisions are guided by WHO’s Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization (SAGE), a body of independent experts that rigorously reviews scientific data. “The DTPw vaccine has been administered to millions of children around the world for decades and is estimated to have saved more than 40 million lives over the past 50 years,” Gavi noted, countering Kennedy’s concerns about the vaccine’s safety. Gavi’s official statement underscored its dedication to evidence-based practices.
Global health leaders and donors expressed alarm at the U.S. decision. Bill Gates, whose foundation is a founding partner of Gavi, announced a $1.6 billion pledge over the next five years to support the alliance but clarified that the Gates Foundation would not fill the funding gap left by the U.S. withdrawal. In an interview with the Financial Times, Gates urged other governments to step up, warning that reduced funding could leave children vulnerable to preventable diseases. At the Brussels summit, countries like the United Kingdom, Germany, Norway, Australia, and Canada increased their pledges, with the UK committing $1.7 billion, making it Gavi’s largest donor in the absence of U.S. support. The New York Times reported on these developments.
The Vaccine Safety Debate
Kennedy’s accusations tap into a broader, polarizing debate about vaccine safety, particularly in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. As a prominent vaccine skeptic, Kennedy has long questioned the safety of certain vaccines, including those for COVID-19, and has criticized public health institutions for dismissing dissenting views. His remarks about Gavi treating vaccine safety as a “public relations problem” rather than a health issue have resonated with some communities skeptical of global health initiatives but have drawn sharp criticism from scientists and public health experts.
For example, in France, where vaccine hesitancy has been a significant issue, Kennedy’s stance has found a small but vocal audience. French media outlet Le Monde reported on the controversy, noting that French anti-vaccine groups have amplified Kennedy’s message on social media, further fueling distrust in global health organizations. Similarly, in India, a former Gavi recipient turned donor, public health advocates expressed concern that the U.S. withdrawal could undermine confidence in vaccination programs, as reported by The Hindu.
However, the scientific community has largely defended Gavi’s track record. Dr. Anita Shet, a global health expert at Johns Hopkins University, emphasized that Gavi’s vaccine programs are backed by decades of peer-reviewed research. “The DTPw vaccine, for instance, has been a cornerstone of child health programs globally, reducing mortality rates significantly,” she said in an interview with BBC News. She warned that funding cuts could lead to a resurgence of preventable diseases in vulnerable regions.
In the UK, the government’s decision to increase its Gavi pledge was framed as a moral imperative. British Secretary of State David Lammy stated, “Where others are stepping back, we are stepping up,” highlighting the UK’s commitment to global health equity. UK Government Press Release. Meanwhile, in Japan, a key Gavi donor, experts warned that the U.S. decision could strain the global vaccine supply chain, as reported by Asahi Shimbun.
По материалам: http://www.planet-today.com/2025/06/rfk-jr-says-us-will-stop-funding.html