Ending U.S. Support for Lifesaving Vaccines Endangers Children Globally and at Home
Christian global health networks are sounding the alarm over the United States’ decision to end
financial support for Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance. This move threatens decades of progress in
child survival.
Since its founding in 2000, Gavi has helped vaccinate more than 1.1 billion children in the
world’s poorest countries, preventing an estimated 18.8 million deaths and contributing to a 50%
reduction in global child mortality. Gavi-supported efforts have played a crucial role in controlling
deadly diseases such as measles, polio, pneumonia, and diphtheria.
“This is no time to backtrack,” said Doug Fountain, Executive Director of Christian Connections
for International Health. “Thanks in part to the hard work of many groups, including Christian
organizations, governments, and secular partners, we have cut the child mortality rate in half.
Ending U.S. support for Gavi, the organization that provides many of the vaccines preventing
needless deaths, is not only morally wrong, it is reckless. It risks the resurgence of diseases not
seen in the U.S. for years and undermines trust in one of the most effective public health
interventions we have.”
Vaccines are widely recognized as one of the most cost-effective health interventions, with an
estimated $54 return for every $1 invested, according to Gavi’s evaluation of economic impact.
On June 25, 2025, at Gavi’s replenishment summit in Brussels, U.S. Health and Human
Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. announced via video that the United States would
halt all financial support to Gavi until it “re-earns the public trust.” Kennedy cited concerns about
vaccine safety, referencing long-debunked claims related to the DTP
(diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis) vaccine and COVID-19 vaccines, but provided no new evidence
to justify the withdrawal. Read Gavi’s response.
This abrupt decision jeopardizes immunization programs serving the world’s most vulnerable
children, risks reversing gains in global health, and isolates the U.S. from a decades-long
bipartisan tradition of leadership in child health.
“The U.S. Government has been a leader in Global Health Security,” said Yoram Siame,
Director, Advocacy, Planning and Development, Churches Health Association of Zambia, and
faith community representative on the Gavi Civil Society Organization Steering Committee.
“Holding back support for immunization creates immunity gaps that fuel vaccine-preventable
disease outbreaks. The U.S. can choose to be a part of expensive disease outbreak responses
or cost-effective prevention efforts through vaccines. Dialogue on reservations on some
vaccines can be taking place with the scientific community, while vaccines the U.S. has no
concerns about continue to reach communities. A vaccine delayed may be a life denied.”
Addressing Vaccine Hesitancy
It is natural to have concerns about health interventions, including immunization. To help
members of faith communities express their concerns and learn the facts about immunization,
CCIH developed Promoting Vaccination: A Toolkit for Collaborating with Faith Communities and
an accompanying implementation guide. They are available in English, French, and Hindi.
In Nyarutefye Village. Credit: Africa Inland Church
Christian Organizations Supporting Immunizations
Africa Christian Health Associations Platform
Christian Connections for International Health
General Board of Global Ministries | The United Methodist Church
