U.S. Releases $600 Million to Gavi After Funding Stalemate, Ties Disbursement to Vaccine Reforms and WHO Exclusion

The State Department and HHS announced that the $600 million appropriated by Congress for Gavi will be disbursed. The money—about 15 % of Gavi’s annual budget—had been held up amid disputes over thimerosal-containing vaccines. Release is contingent on Gavi’s commitment to accelerate the shift to mercury-free formulations and to implement additional reforms requested by the United States.

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Gavi, co-founded by the United States 25 years ago, supplies vaccines for 20 diseases to more than 50 low-income countries and has vaccinated over 1.2 billion children, averting roughly 20.6 million deaths. U.S. contributions have historically accounted for about 15 % of Gavi’s budget and a similar share of WHO core funding.

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In January 2025, President Donald Trump announced a U.S. withdrawal from the WHO and suspension of contributions, reversing the previous administration’s restoration. The latest statement reiterates that no U.S. money will flow to the WHO through Gavi.

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• Budget share: ? 15 % U.S. contribution.

Al Jazeera (website)

• Disease coverage: Vaccines for 20 diseases, including those that currently contain thimerosal.

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• Impact: Over 1.2 billion children vaccinated; > 20.6 million deaths averted.

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• Funding timeline: Funds would have expired at the end of September if not released.

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• Secretary of State Marco Rubio told the Senate Foreign Relations Committee that President Trump asked him to allow Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to intervene.

The Hill

• Gavi acknowledges that the transition will require manufacturers to expand capacity, partner countries to adopt newer formulations, and board approvals for new products. The alliance also pledged to end promotion of COVID-19 vaccines for routine programs, downsize staff in Geneva, and reduce funding for other partners, including the WHO.

Al Jazeera (website)

• Gavi announced a new secretariat to monitor vaccine-science developments.

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Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has argued that thimerosal is “likely to cause autism,” a claim not supported by mainstream scientific studies. Experts maintain that thimerosal-containing vaccines used by Gavi are safe and note that the preservative has been removed from most U.S. pediatric vaccines since 2001.

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• Safety assessment: Kennedy’s claim contrasts with the consensus of vaccine safety experts.

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• Transition timeline: Gavi has pledged to expedite a shift to mercury-free vaccines but has not provided a concrete schedule.

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• “It is welcome news that following our recent outreach, the State Department has committed to contributing the full $600 million for GAVI, the Vaccine Alliance,” — Susan Collins, U.S. senator

The Hill

The State Department and HHS indicated that Gavi will work with its board and partner countries to replace thimerosal-containing vaccines, expand production of newer formulations, and obtain regulatory approvals. The alliance will monitor vaccine science through its new secretariat. The United States will continue to withhold any funding to the WHO that would be routed through Gavi, maintaining the policy set after the January 2025 withdrawal.

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