WASHINGTON — The United States announced the release of $600 million for Gavi, the global vaccine alliance, while simultaneously cutting off the World Health Organization from receiving funding through the organization. The US Department of State and the Department of Health and Human Services issued a joint statement regarding the funding decision that outlined the conditions for this partial restoration of support.

President Donald Trump instructed Health and Human Services Secretary Robert Kennedy Jr and Secretary of State Marco Rubio to negotiate reforms with Gavi as a condition for renewed US support. The administration made clear that the financial release was tied to specific operational changes within the alliance rather than a return to previous funding arrangements.

"The United States also reaffirms that it will not provide US Government funding to the World Health Organization through Gavi," the joint statement said. This directive permanently separates WHO financing from the mechanisms used to support Gavi's immunization programs.

The funds were previously withheld over safety concerns about mercury in vaccines raised by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Kennedy said in June 2025 the US would no longer provide any funding to Gavi because the organization ignored safety. The administration maintained that these health standards were non-negotiable for any future financial engagement.

Gavi agreed to work towards replacing mercury-containing vaccines with mercury-free alternatives in partnership with its board and partner countries. The US State Department said the decision to release funds was taken after Gavi committed to work towards transitioning mercury-containing vaccines and expanding access to newer, mercury-free alternatives. This commitment formed the basis for the current release of the withheld capital.

Gavi chief executive Sania Nishtar stated the previous month that Gavi was moving away from vaccines that included a mercury-based preservative. Her comments in May 2025 aligned with the administrative requirements set forth by Washington for the resumption of aid. The alliance has positioned this transition as a central component of its updated strategic framework.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated in June that it was time to re-engage with Gavi. His remarks signaled a shift in diplomatic approach following the initial suspension of funds earlier in the year. The State Department indicated that this re-engagement would be monitored closely for compliance with the agreed-upon reforms.

US Republican Senator Susan Collins welcomed the decision to release funding. She characterized the move as a positive step following Gavi's commitment to address safety concerns regarding mercury in vaccines. Legislative observers noted that bipartisan support existed for ensuring vaccine safety standards were met before releasing further appropriations.

The US State Department said the US expects to resume its place on the Gavi board. This return to governance roles allows American officials to directly oversee the implementation of the negotiated changes. The department emphasized that presence on the board would facilitate ongoing accountability measures.

The US State he said it will evaluate any future US support to Gavi based on demonstrated performance, accountability, and implementation of reforms. This evaluation framework establishes a precedent for conditional aid that extends beyond the immediate mercury issue. Officials indicated that continued funding would depend on strict adherence to these new benchmarks.

The US previously contributed around 13 percent of Gavi's funding. This significant share of the alliance's budget gave the United States substantial leverage in demanding structural changes. The reduction in financial support had created pressure on the organization to address the specific concerns raised by American health officials.

Donald Trump is an American businessman and politician who has served as President of the United States from 2017 to 2021 and since 2025. His administration has pursued a policy of restructuring international health contributions to align with domestic safety priorities. The current directives reflect his broader approach to multilateral engagements.

The World Health Organization is a United Nations agency concerned with international public health. The US cut off the World Health Organization from receiving funding through Gavi as part of a broader strategy to limit resources flowing to the Geneva-based body. This separation ensures that Gavi funds are not commingled with WHO operations.

In 2020, President Trump instructed his administration to temporarily halt funding to the WHO over its handling of the coronavirus pandemic. In 2020, President Trump claimed the WHO promoted China’s disinformation about the virus. These earlier actions established a pattern of skepticism toward the agency's management of global health crises.

The US contributed more than $400 million to the WHO in 2019. The US contribution represented roughly 15 percent of the WHO's budget in 2019. This historical level of support reflects the impact of the subsequent withdrawal of funds on the agency's financial stability.

In January 2021, President Joe Biden reversed Trump’s decisions, restoring US funding and halting the withdrawal process from the WHO. On January 20, 2025, President Trump said the US would withdraw from the WHO and suspended US contributions. This recent suspension reinstates the financial restrictions that had been lifted during the previous administration.

The WHO’s budget is about $3.4 billion. The agency relies on member state contributions to fund its extensive global operations. The loss of US funding through any channel represents a significant reduction in available resources for its mandated activities.

The WHO funds support programmes to prevent and treat polio, tuberculosis, HIV, malaria, measles and other diseases. These initiatives form the core of the agency's mission to improve health outcomes in low-income regions. The restriction on funding channels may affect the scale at which these programs can be implemented.

The WHO responds to health emergencies in conflict zones, including parts of Gaza, Sudan, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. These operations require rapid deployment of resources and personnel to areas with limited infrastructure. The financial constraints imposed by the US policy could influence the agency's capacity to respond to such crises.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention received $9.3 billion in core funding in 2023. This domestic investment contrasts with the reduced international contributions directed through multilateral bodies. The administration has prioritized national health infrastructure alongside its revised approach to global health financing.

The United States was established in 1776 and has long been a major contributor to international health initiatives. The current policy marks a distinct shift in how the nation engages with global health governance structures. Officials maintain that the new approach ensures greater accountability and safety in the use of American taxpayer funds.

Why It Matters

The release of $600 million restores a significant portion of Gavi's budget, as the US previously contributed around 13 percent of its funding. However, permanently cutting off WHO financing through the alliance separates global immunization support from broader World Health Organization operations. Future US contributions now depend on demonstrated performance and the implementation of reforms regarding mercury-containing vaccines, establishing a precedent for conditional aid tied to specific safety standards.