US Funding Cuts to Gavi Could Lead to Over a Million Deaths, Warns Vaccine Alliance CEO

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The CEO of Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, has warned that the United States' decision to cut funding could result in over a million avoidable deaths globally. Sania Nishtar stated that a lack of support from the US, which currently contributes approximately 25% of Gavi's budget, would pose a serious threat to global health security, jeopardizing vaccination efforts against diseases like measles, tuberculosis, and Ebola.

According to the New York Times, this funding cut was part of a broader reduction in foreign aid announced by the Trump administration. Nishtar emphasized that Gavi has not received a formal termination notice from the government and is actively seeking to secure $300 million approved by Congress for its operations in 2025.

Health experts, including Professor Jennifer Nuzzo from Brown University, criticized the funding cuts as "mind-bogglingly short-sighted," noting that investment in vaccination programs is crucial for preventing costly outbreaks. Gavi plays a vital role in vaccinating over half of the world’s children against infectious diseases, underscoring the importance of continued support.

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