Congress must uphold its lifesaving commitment to Gavi, ignore false claims
Remarks given at today’s replenishment conference for Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance by U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. spread spurious falsehoods about Gavi’s global vaccine work. Congress must deliver promised U.S. support to Gavi, alongside dozens of global donors.
Brussels, Belgium, June 25, 2025—Today, heads of state, health ministers, and other leaders from around the world gathered to celebrate and pledge ongoing support for Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance. Gavi is one of the most successful global health efforts in history. Its transformative impact on global health includes saving over 18.8 million lives. In a reversal of decades of bipartisan policy, U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. refused to recommit to Gavi. Sec. Kennedy made false claims about vaccine science and safety, and signaled an end to U.S. support. The latest U.S. annual commitment to Gavi was just approved by Congress and signed into law in March.
“Governments and other donors from around the world stepped up to make $9 billion in financial commitments. These commitments support Gavi’s plan to reach half a billion children with lifesaving vaccines in the next five years. At this same moment, the U.S. administration stepped back from historic U.S. support and spread falsehoods about vaccines and Gavi’s work,” said RESULTS Executive Director Joanne Carter. Carter attended the pledging conference in Brussels.
“RESULTS has worked in support of Gavi with members of Congress across the political spectrum for years. There has always been unequivocal support. That’s because Gavi relies on the latest science and innovation to save lives and protect global health. Regardless of party, lawmakers have rightly agreed that no child should die of preventable disease. Gavi works with governments, local communities, health workers, an array of donors, the world’s best scientists, and the private sector. Thanks to this work, one in two children globally are vaccinated. Health infrastructure has gotten stronger. Epidemics have been stymied. Economies have been sustained. To withdraw U.S. support for Gavi now will needlessly put children at risk around the world. Congress should continue to reject falsehoods about vaccine science and Gavi’s effective work. Cuts to Gavi’s funding will translate to children’s lives cut tragically short. Thankfully, this is not the administration’s call to make,” continued Carter.
Congress has the power of the purse. It will be Congress that decides whether the U.S. will continue its bipartisan legacy supporting lifesaving vaccines through Gavi. “We know support for Gavi remains strong in Congress. RESULTS urges Congress to see its commitment through and fully fund Gavi. The U.S. must not back down from its leadership on child survival and global health. Lives and health everywhere, including in the U.S., are at stake.”
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About RESULTS and RESULTS Educational Fund:
RESULTS supports a movement of passionate, committed everyday people using their voices to influence political decisions that will bring an end to poverty. Volunteers and staff multiply their impact through the enormous power of advocacy.
Our movement of volunteers is backed by a staff of researchers, policy analysts, and legislative and media experts. Our shared goal is the end of poverty. We have affiliates and partners across five continents, and a network of volunteers in all 50 states and worldwide. We’re a non-partisan advocacy group comprised of RESULTS Educational Fund, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization, and RESULTS, a nonprofit 501(c)(4) grassroots lobbying organization.