Rubio Signals U.S. May Resume Gavi Funding, Reclaiming Control From Kennedy After 2025 Pullout
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · Jun 2
Rubio Signals U.S. May Resume Gavi Funding, Reclaiming Control From Kennedy After 2025 Pullout
3 articles · Updated · The New York Times · Jun 2
Marco Rubio told senators the State Department will re-engage with Gavi and could restore U.S. funding to the vaccine alliance after last year's withdrawal.
Capitol Hill testimony showed Rubio taking back management of the relationship from Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., whom Trump had allowed to play a leading role in the decision.
Gavi funds immunizations in low-income countries and maintains the global Ebola vaccine stockpile, making the U.S. stance significant for broader global health operations.
Rubio said Kennedy's views would still be considered, but added the department now needs to "drive this to an outcome," signaling a wider State Department push to reclaim global health authority.
With U.S. measles cases surging, will restoring Gavi funding also help reverse declining vaccination rates at home?
What will it take for the U.S. to regain its lost seat and influence in global health after its funding freeze?
How will the U.S. balance global health aid with the Health Secretary's documented skepticism toward vaccines?
U.S. Policy Reversals Threaten Global Vaccine Access: The Gavi Alliance, Funding Instability, and the Future of Pandemic Preparedness
Overview
In June 2026, the United States made a major shift in its global health policy by re-engaging with Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance. This move followed a period of withdrawal and was driven by the urgent need to respond to outbreaks like Bundibugyo ebolavirus and Hantavirus. Secretary of State Marco Rubio led the effort, reasserting the State Department’s authority and aiming for greater transparency and accountability in global health initiatives. Both the State Department and HHS are now working with Gavi, hoping that renewed collaboration will strengthen outbreak response and improve vaccine access worldwide.