Gavi vaccine funding: US to restore $600m, senator says

The United States will contribute $600 million to the Gavi global vaccine alliance, Republican US Senator Susan Collins said Tuesday, restoring funding after President Donald Trump's administration previously pulled support.

Collins said the State Department had agreed to contribute funds appropriated in FY25 and FY26 “to replenish US funding to Gavi.” She said the department had committed to the full $600 million after recent outreach.

A Vaccine Alliance spokesperson said Gavi was grateful for the United States' intention to obligate funding.

Gavi brings together government and private donors to help developing countries acquire immunisations for key diseases at affordable prices. The organisation says it helps vaccinate more than half the world's children against infectious diseases including Covid-19, Ebola, malaria, rabies, polio, cholera, tuberculosis, typhoid and yellow fever.

The United States pulled support last year, with Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr claiming without evidence that there were safety concerns. Earlier this year, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Washington would re-engage with Gavi.

The recommitment comes amid an Ebola outbreak whose epicentre is in the Democratic Republic of Congo. It is caused by the Bundibugyo strain of the virus, for which there is no vaccine or cure. Gavi previously said it would make up to $50 million available for Bundibugyo vaccine efforts, which developers are working to accelerate.