U.S. releases $600 million in funding to Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance

The U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services have announced the immediate release of $600 million in Congressionally appropriated funds to Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance. This funding covers both fiscal years 2025 and 2026.

The decision follows a directive from President Donald Trump for Secretary of State Marco Rubio and HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to engage with Gavi to secure reforms. According to a State Department press release, these discussions resulted in commitments to strengthen vaccine safety, improve public health, and align Gavi’s operations with “Gold Standard Science and transparency.”

A key component of the agreement involves reducing reliance on mercury-containing vaccines when suitable alternatives are available. The State Department noted that these transitions will require vaccine manufacturers to expand production capacity and for countries to adopt newer vaccine formulations.