US Funding Cuts Threaten Global Polio Eradication Efforts

A Nature editorial warned that reductions in United States contributions are jeopardising the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI). The U.S. withdrawal from the World Health Organization and the dismantling of USAID have cut the GPEI budget by about 30% for 2026, limiting surveillance, communication and vaccine delivery. Polio remains endemic in Pakistan and Afghanistan, where 18 wild‑virus cases were recorded as of 21 July 2026, and experts say that insufficient funding could trigger a resurgence of hundreds of thousands of cases.

At the same time, the United States has resumed limited financing for UNICEF, the Gavi vaccine alliance and the World Food Programme. Although the amounts are lower than in previous years, the new funds will support child nutrition, emergency aid and vaccination campaigns in vulnerable regions, helping to sustain immunisation drives and prevent disease outbreaks.