United States releases $600 million to Gavi vaccine alliance

United States Gavi $600 million Robert F. Kennedy Jr. mercury‑free vaccines

The Trump administration announced it will immediately release $600 million in congressionally appropriated funds for vaccines for the world’s poorest countries. The money had been withheld after U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. raised safety concerns about Gavi’s vaccines. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in June that it was time to re‑engage with the Geneva‑based Gavi alliance, and Republican Senator Susan Collins welcomed the decision.

The State Department said the release follows Gavi’s commitment to work toward transitioning mercury‑containing vaccines to mercury‑free alternatives. The United States also reaffirmed it will not provide government funding to the World Health Organization through Gavi, effectively cutting the WHO out of the alliance. The administration expects to resume its seat on the Gavi board and will evaluate any future U.S. support based on demonstrated performance, accountability and implementation of reforms. The United States previously contributed about 13 % of Gavi’s funding, roughly $300 million per year.

Entities: Gavi · Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance · Marco Rubio · Robert F. Kennedy Jr. · Sania Nishtar · Susan Collins · United States · United States

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.

[● 19 SOURCES] The United States expects to resume its place on the Gavi board and will evaluate future support based on demonstrated performance, accountability, and implementation of reforms. (existing)
[● 19 SOURCES] U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in June that it was time to re‑engage with the Geneva‑based global alliance Gavi. (existing)
[● 19 SOURCES] The $600 million had been withheld over safety concerns raised by U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. (existing)
[● 7 SOURCES] The United States previously contributed about 13% of Gavi’s funding, roughly $300 million a year. (belongs)
[● 7 SOURCES] Anti‑vaccine groups have claimed that thimerosal is linked to autism despite scientific studies showing no safety issues. (belongs)
[● 7 SOURCES] Gavi committed to work towards transitioning mercury‑containing vaccines and expanding access to newer, mercury‑free alternatives. (belongs)
[● 7 SOURCES] In June 2025 Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said the United States would no longer provide any funding to Gavi, representing around $300 million a year, because Gavi ignored safety concerns. (belongs)
[● 19 SOURCES] The Trump administration will immediately release $600 million in congressionally appropriated funds for vaccines for the world’s poorest countries. (new)
[● 19 SOURCES] Gavi committed to work towards transitioning mercury‑containing vaccines to mercury‑free alternatives. (existing)
[● 9 SOURCES] The United States expects to resume its seat on the Gavi board and will evaluate future support based on performance, accountability and reform implementation. (U.S. State Department)
[● 7 SOURCES] The $600 million had been withheld because Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. raised safety concerns about Gavi’s vaccines. (U.S. Health Department)
[● 5 SOURCES] The Trump administration previously cut funding to the WHO and withdrew United States contributions in 2025. (U.S. administration actions)