U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced the country is ending its support for the global vaccine alliance Gavi, accusing the organization of ignoring science and failing to maintain public trust.
Kennedy’s pre-recorded remarks were aired at a Gavi fundraising conference in Brussels on Wednesday. Gavi, which has helped vaccinate over a billion children worldwide, had hoped to secure at least $9 billion in funding to continue its work over the next five years.
A known vaccine skeptic, Kennedy criticized Gavi’s collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO) during the COVID-19 pandemic, claiming they suppressed alternative views and questions about vaccine safety. He also questioned the safety of routine immunizations like the diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis (DTP) vaccine, despite broad scientific consensus supporting its effectiveness.
In response, Gavi reaffirmed its commitment to children’s health, saying it follows vaccine recommendations made by WHO’s expert panels. The organization is a public-private partnership that includes WHO, UNICEF, the Gates Foundation, and the World Bank, and it estimates that its vaccination efforts have saved around 18 million lives. The U.S. has historically been one of Gavi’s top funders, having previously pledged $1 billion through 2030.
During his four-minute message, Kennedy challenged Gavi to account for the $8 billion the U.S. has contributed since 2001. He urged the alliance to reassess its practices and base decisions on what he referred to as “the best science available,” even if that contradicts current public health standards.
He specifically criticized the use of COVID-19 vaccines for pregnant women—recommendations supported by Gavi, WHO, and other agencies due to higher risks of severe illness during pregnancy. Kennedy noted that the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently updated its guidance, which he said no longer actively promotes the vaccine for that group.
Kennedy also raised doubts about the DTP vaccine, referencing studies suggesting higher overall mortality rates among vaccinated girls in some regions. Gavi responded by stating that its vaccine decisions are grounded in comprehensive scientific analysis, and that the DTP vaccine has significantly contributed to reducing child mortality globally. While some observational studies have noted such trends, health experts stress there’s no evidence that the vaccine directly causes increased deaths.
Dr. Paul Offit, director of the Vaccine Education Center at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, called the decision “incredibly dangerous,” emphasizing that the cited research does not show a direct link between the vaccine and increased mortality. “There’s no biological explanation for why the DTP vaccine would increase death rates,” Offit added.
The withdrawal has sparked widespread concern among global health advocates. Doctors Without Borders warned that ending U.S. support could lead to countless preventable deaths among children. Mihir Mankad, the organization’s global health policy director, condemned the move as “cruel and reckless,” accusing the U.S. of using misinformation to justify the funding cut.
“In many communities, parents wait in long lines for a chance to vaccinate their children. These programs are not optional—they’re life-saving,” Mankad said.
Kennedy’s remarks coincided with the inaugural meeting of a newly formed U.S. vaccine advisory panel. Earlier this month, he dismissed the previous 17-member board and replaced it with a smaller group, several of whom are known for questioning vaccine safety.
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