Home / Health / US Funds Return: Gavi Boosts Malaria Fight
US Funds Return: Gavi Boosts Malaria Fight
8 Jun
Summary
- Gavi expects $600 million in U.S. funding to aid malaria and other vaccinations.
- The U.S. previously withheld funds due to unfounded thimerosal safety concerns.
- The restored funding will also help Gavi transition to newer, thimerosal-free vaccines.
Global vaccine alliance Gavi is poised to receive $600 million in U.S. funding, approved for 2025 and 2026. This influx of capital is expected to bolster Gavi's malaria vaccination programs and other critical immunization efforts. The funding was previously withheld by the U.S. Health Secretary, who cited unsubstantiated safety concerns over thimerosal, a mercury-based preservative used in some vaccines.
The restored funding, announced recently, will assist Gavi in addressing a significant budget shortfall that threatened to reduce the reach of new malaria vaccines in sub-Saharan Africa. It also aligns with U.S. conditions for phasing out thimerosal in Gavi's portfolio.
Gavi plans to utilize these funds to support countries in adopting newer vaccines, including a meningitis vaccine and a broader six-in-one vaccine, both of which are thimerosal-free. This strategic shift towards more effective and preservative-free vaccines was already planned by Gavi as part of its commitment to providing advanced healthcare tools.
