Trump administration unfreezes $600 million for Gavi global vaccine program

What This is

• The Trump administration said it will immediately release $600 million in congressionally approved funding to Gavi, the Geneva-based vaccine alliance.
• The money had been held up after U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. raised vaccine-safety concerns, including about the preservative thimerosal.
• The State Department said Gavi committed to moving away from vaccines with thimerosal and expanding access to mercury-free alternatives.
• The administration said the release followed negotiated reforms, including more transparency and accountability measures tied to future U.S. support.
• Officials said the U.S. will resume formal oversight of Gavi, including regaining a U.S. board seat.
• The administration said none of the Gavi funding will be routed through the World Health Organization, keeping direct WHO support cut off.
• Sen. Susan Collins said Secretary of State Marco Rubio told the Senate the State Department is retaking the lead on relations with Gavi after the earlier hold.

Why This Matters

• The decision affects whether millions of people in lower-income countries get routine vaccines on time.
• It shows how U.S. health funding can shift based on safety demands and control over how vaccines are selected and promoted.
• Keeping WHO cut out could reshape how outbreak prevention and emergency response efforts are coordinated and funded.
• The episode highlights how disputed vaccine claims can influence real-world global health spending and trust.