Key facts
- Gavi plans to use $600 million in U.S. funding for malaria and other vaccination efforts.
- The U.S. funding was previously withheld by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. over safety concerns.
- Gavi is meeting U.S. conditions to phase out the preservative thimerosal in its vaccines.
- The U.S. Secretary of State indicated the funds would be sent to Gavi soon.
- Gavi's board will make the final decision on how the funds are allocated.
The global vaccine alliance Gavi intends to utilize $600 million in U.S. funding, which is expected to be restored soon, to support malaria prevention and other vaccination programs. This plan aligns with conditions set by U.S. officials, including the phasing out of the preservative thimerosal in certain vaccines.
Previously, this $600 million, approved by Congress for 2025 and 2026, was withheld by U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. due to unspecified safety concerns. Gavi has stated that its board will determine the final allocation of these funds, with malaria initiatives being a likely priority given a significant budget shortfall previously warned about.