Faith Nyasuguta
A global health organization, Gavi, has sounded the alarm, warning that one million children could die from preventable diseases if the United States follows through on plans to cut funding. Dr. Sania Nishtar, head of Gavi, the vaccine alliance that provides critical immunizations to developing countries, said that losing U.S. financial support would have a “disastrous impact on global health security.”
This comes after a New York Times report suggested that the Trump administration intends to terminate Gavi’s funding. The U.S. is currently Gavi’s third-largest donor, having pledged $1.6 billion for the 2026-2030 period, which accounts for about 15% of the alliance’s total funding. Although Gavi has yet to receive an official termination notice, Dr. Nishtar confirmed that the organization is actively engaging with the White House and Congress to secure $300 million for 2025 and ensure long-term financial stability.
Since taking office in January 2025, President Donald Trump has emphasized an “America First” approach, aiming to reduce overseas spending. The international development sector has been bracing for severe consequences on humanitarian programs worldwide. The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) was among the first agencies targeted by Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), which initiated a 90-day freeze on all U.S. foreign aid earlier this year.
Dr. Nishtar warned that of the 500 million children who need immunization globally, at least 75 million could miss out if U.S. funding to Gavi is cut. This would lead to a surge in deaths from preventable diseases like measles, tuberculosis, pneumonia, and polio. Additionally, governments and health agencies would struggle to maintain vaccine stockpiles for outbreak-prone diseases such as Ebola, cholera, and mpox, further threatening global health security.
Medical charity Médecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) echoed Gavi’s concerns, calling the potential funding cuts “catastrophic.” MSF USA Chief Programs Officer Carrie Teicher emphasized that the decision would endanger millions of lives, particularly in low-income nations that depend on affordable vaccines.
The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) has also voiced concerns. Dr. Ngongo Ngashi, the agency’s emergency incident manager, said Africa CDC is actively engaging with U.S. authorities to discuss the consequences of these funding reductions. He stressed the importance of prioritizing routine vaccinations while also maintaining emergency stockpiles.
Dr. Ngashi further highlighted Africa’s need to develop independent funding mechanisms to reduce reliance on foreign aid. “It is critical that we find our own funding streams that are not dependent on external partners,” he said, adding that sustainable financing will be key to strengthening Africa’s public health infrastructure.
In response to the crisis, Gavi has pledged to diversify its donor base. Indonesia, a former recipient of Gavi’s support, transitioned into a donor last year, signaling a shift in how global health programs are funded. Dr. Nishtar emphasized that Gavi operates efficiently, with 97 cents of every dollar raised going directly to immunization programs. However, she warned that any U.S. funding cuts would inevitably have devastating consequences for global health and safety.
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