US funding cuts to vaccine alliance put millions of children at risk: CEO

Funding cuts by the United States and other donors have forced Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance to scale back its malaria programme in Africa, putting tens of thousands of children’s lives at risk, CEO Sania Nishtar told AFP.

Gavi, a global partnership that helps lower-income countries access affordable vaccines, has been a key driver in rolling out the malaria vaccine across 25 African nations. The disease continues to claim around 600,000 lives annually—mostly children.

However, a major funding gap has emerged after the United States withdrew $1.58 billion in support last year. The move was backed by US health secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who raised unsubstantiated concerns about vaccine safety.

As a result, Gavi has been forced to cut back its ambitions. The target of achieving 85% malaria vaccine coverage by 2030 has now been reduced to 70%. Nishtar warned that while earlier projections suggested the programme could prevent 180,000 deaths, the funding cuts could now cost “tens of thousands of children’s lives.”

Calling the situation “hugely disappointing,” she highlighted the devastating human toll of malaria, particularly among children suffering severe complications.

Beyond immediate vaccine rollouts, Gavi is also struggling to advance vaccine manufacturing in Africa—a priority that gained urgency during the COVID-19 pandemic, when wealthy nations secured most supplies.

In 2024, Gavi launched a $1 billion subsidy initiative to support African manufacturers. Yet, 18 months on, no company has been able to access the funds, as firms in countries like South Africa, Senegal, Morocco, and Ghana continue to face financial and infrastructure hurdles.

Nishtar said more upfront investment and policy support—such as tax incentives—are needed, and plans to push for changes at Gavi’s upcoming board meeting.

Despite the challenges, she expressed hope that the United States might rejoin the alliance. She also pointed to a “silver lining,” noting that African governments are increasingly stepping up health funding through innovative measures like targeted taxes and levies.

Last year alone, African nations contributed $300 million in co-financing to Gavi, reflecting a growing commitment to strengthening their own healthcare systems.