US threatens Gavi funding over vaccine preservative

The U.S. government has issued an ultimatum to Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, stating that future funding will be withheld if thimerosal is not removed from the vaccines it provides. Thimerosal, a preservative used to prevent contamination in multi-dose vials, is the subject of an unsubstantiated theory linking it to autism.

This demand marks a significant shift in the U.S.-Gavi relationship. While thimerosal has been safely used for decades, its presence in multi-dose vials is crucial for low-income countries that cannot afford the more expensive single-dose vials often used in higher-income nations. Experts warn that removing thimerosal could make vaccines prohibitively expensive for poorer countries, potentially leading to more preventable deaths among children.

Gavi stated that any decision on thimerosal would be guided by scientific consensus and require a board decision. The U.S. government, under the influence of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., is pushing for a global alignment with U.S. standards, despite widespread scientific consensus deeming thimerosal safe in vaccine amounts.