Several Latin American countries are expected to benefit after the Trump administration agreed to release $600 million in previously withheld funding for Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, ending months of uncertainty over U.S. support for childhood immunization programs in some of the world's poorest nations.
Gavi supports vaccine purchases and distribution in dozens of lower-income countries. In Latin America and the Caribbean, eligible nations include Haiti, Bolivia, Honduras and Nicaragua, where the alliance has helped finance routine childhood immunizations and introduce vaccines against diseases such as pneumococcal disease, rotavirus, HPV and, more recently, malaria in eligible regions. As countries' incomes rise, many eventually transition out of Gavi support, but some continue receiving targeted assistance.
The funding had been frozen for months after Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. raised concerns about Gavi's continued use in some countries of vaccines containing thimerosal, a mercury-based preservative that has long been removed from most routine childhood vaccines in the United States. Kennedy has argued the organization should accelerate its transition to mercury-free alternatives, despite decades of scientific research finding no evidence that thimerosal causes autism or other developmental disorders.
The dispute led the administration to withhold the congressionally appropriated funding, creating concern among global health organizations that vaccination campaigns against diseases such as measles, polio and cholera could face disruptions. Gavi warned the delay threatened immunization programs serving millions of children and could worsen existing funding shortfalls.
The breakthrough came after Gavi agreed to several conditions sought by the administration. According to a joint announcement from the State Department and the Department of Health and Human Services, the alliance committed to reducing its reliance on mercury-containing vaccines, expanding access to mercury-free alternatives where feasible, and strengthening accountability over how U.S. funding is used. The United States also said it will rejoin Gavi's board to help oversee implementation of those commitments.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio said restoring the funding reflects both congressional intent and broader U.S. global health interests, while emphasizing that future American support will depend on Gavi meeting its commitments.
The decision represents a significant reversal from last year, when Kennedy announced the United States would no longer fund Gavi, accusing the organization of failing to adequately address vaccine safety concerns and criticizing its response during the COVID-19 pandemic. Public health experts strongly disputed those claims and warned that eliminating U.S. support could result in preventable child deaths worldwide.
The United States has historically been one of Gavi's largest donors, contributing roughly 13% of the alliance's budget during recent funding cycles. Since its creation in 2000, Gavi says it has helped immunize more than 1 billion children and prevented millions of deaths by expanding access to vaccines in lower-income countries.
While the restored funding is expected to stabilize vaccine programs in many developing countries, the administration also made clear it will continue pressing Gavi to reform its procurement and vaccine policies. The agreement leaves the door open for continued U.S. financial support, but only if the alliance follows through on the changes negotiated with Washington.
