Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance

US Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced that the United States will no longer contribute funding to Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance. He cited claims that Gavi ignores safety, though he provided no evidence to support this assertion.

About Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance

• Nature: Gavi is a public-private partnership dedicated to helping vaccinate half the world’s children against some of the deadliest diseases.
• Key Partners: Its members include the World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF, the Gates Foundation, and the World Bank.
• Impact Since 2000: Since its inception, Gavi has achieved significant milestones:
  • It has helped immunize over 822 million children.
  • It has prevented more than 14 million deaths.
  • It has contributed to halving child mortality in 73 developing countries.
• Cost-Sharing Model: Gavi shares the cost of vaccines with implementing countries. This model has led to:
  • Over 637 vaccine introductions and preventive vaccination campaigns.
  • A dramatic boost in immunization against virulent diseases.
• India’s Contribution: In 2014, India became the first implementing country to donate to Gavi, committing US$4 million over a four-year period from 2013–2016.