The global health landscape faces a seismic shift as US President Donald Trump’s administration plans to terminate a $2.6 billion grant to Gavi, the global vaccine alliance founded and supported by Bill Gates. This decision, revealed in a spreadsheet sent to Congress last week, could disrupt critical vaccine programs worldwide, particularly in the poorest nations.
Why Gavi Matters in Global Health
Gavi has been a cornerstone of global immunization efforts since its inception in 2000, credited with saving 19 million children’s lives by facilitating vaccine access in developing countries. The United States, historically one of Gavi’s largest donors, contributes approximately 13% of its budget. The now-threatened $2.6 billion grant was intended to support initiatives through 2030, including research into vaccines and antiviral drugs aimed at preventing future pandemics like COVID-19.
Programs at Risk: Malaria, Mpox, and Tuberculosis
The funding cut jeopardizes several flagship programs. Dr. Sania Nishtar, Gavi’s CEO since March 2024, warned that the organization may need to scale back or shelve key initiatives. Among those at risk are:
- Emergency stockpiles of new mpox and tuberculosis vaccines.
- The distribution of malaria vaccines, recently introduced to combat one of the world’s deadliest diseases.
- A billion-dollar effort to boost vaccine production in Africa.
“If we take a 15 per cent cut, and if this comes on top of cuts from traditional donors, we have to go back to the drawing board on what gets dropped,” Dr. Nishtar told The Telegraph.
The Ripple Effect of the Funding Cut
The termination also halts research into vaccines and antiviral drugs designed to guard against future viral threats, including potential COVID-19 outbreaks. Dr. Nishtar emphasized the broader implications: “There is already a commitment to maintain a new stockpile for the tuberculosis vaccine and mpox vaccine. All these things will be up for debate.”
Despite the grim outlook, Dr. Nishtar remains cautiously optimistic. “I must emphasize that we have not received a termination notice,” she said. “We think the situation will be remedied, and we will not have to live with this funding shortfall.”
What’s Next for Gavi and Global Health?
The Trump administration’s move aligns with a broader retreat from international aid, as reported by Planet Today. If the cut proceeds, Gavi’s board will face tough decisions about which programs to prioritize. The loss of US support could lead to millions of children missing out on life-saving vaccines, undermining decades of progress in global health security.
Author: Planet Today
