WASHINGTON, D.C.: The United States will stop providing financial support to Gavi, the global vaccine alliance that helps immunize children in low-income countries, Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced this week, marking a sharp departure from two decades of U.S. backing.

In a video message shown at Gavi's fundraising summit in Brussels, Kennedy criticized the alliance's approach to vaccine safety and questioned its recommendations on COVID-19 and other childhood immunizations. He offered no evidence for the claims, but said the organization had "neglected the key issue of vaccine safety."

"Until that happens, the United States won't contribute more," Kennedy said, referring to his call for Gavi to re-earn public trust and justify the US$8 billion in U.S. funding it has received since 2001.

Kennedy, a long-time vaccine skeptic, specifically raised concerns about Gavi's promotion of the DTPw vaccine (diphtheria-tetanus-whole cell pertussis) and its handling of the COVID-19 vaccination strategy.

Gavi swiftly responded in a public statement, saying, "Gavi's utmost concern is the health and safety of children." The group emphasized that it follows World Health Organization guidance and expressed complete confidence in the DTPw vaccine, which it said has played a critical role in cutting child mortality by half in its partner countries since 2000.

"Gavi fully concurs with the Secretary for Health and Human Services on the need to consider all available science, and remains committed to continuing an evidence-based and scientific approach," the organization said.

Kennedy also acknowledged Gavi's broader achievements. "I admire much of Gavi's work, particularly its efforts to make medicines affordable worldwide," he said, while reiterating his critique of its vaccine safety standards.

The announcement overshadowed Gavi's pledging summit in Brussels. The alliance aims to raise $9 billion to fund vaccine delivery and health system support from 2026 to 2030. Other major donors, including Germany, Norway, and the Gates Foundation, have already pledged funds.

Bill Gates, speaking at the summit as chair of the Gates Foundation, strongly defended Gavi's track record. "Gavi prioritizes saving lives, and it's done with incredible scientific rigor," he said. "We're constantly looking at safety."

Gavi's board chair, former European Commission president José Manuel Barroso, also reaffirmed the alliance's commitment to science and public trust in his summit remarks.

The Trump administration had previously signaled plans to reduce U.S. funding to Gavi as part of a broader pullback from international aid. U.S. contributions had totaled roughly $300 million annually.

At a Senate confirmation hearing this week, Susan Monarez, President Trump's nominee for director of the CDC, was asked about the Gavi decision. "Global health security preparedness is a critical and vital activity for the United States," she said, noting she had not been involved in the decision and would review it if confirmed.