The Biden administration's financial support for Gavi, an organization dedicated to ensuring vaccine access for children in low-income countries, has been contradicted by an alarming announcement from Secretary of Health and Human Services, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. During a video address to health officials in Brussels, Kennedy asserted that the U.S. would be retracting its pledge of $1.2 billion due to what he claims is Gavi's ongoing neglect of scientific evidence regarding vaccine safety.
Kennedy's sharp criticism centers on his belief that Gavi has mishandled issues related to vaccine safety, choosing instead to prioritize public relations over health concerns. According to him, this selective application of science has compromised the credibility of vaccination efforts globally. “When vaccine safety issues have come before Gavi, Gavi has treated them not as a patient health problem, but as a public relations problem,” Kennedy stated in his message.
In response, Gavi’s officials firmly defended their practices, labeling Kennedy’s claims as unfounded and reiterating that their decisions are guided exclusively by credible scientific research. Despite the disagreements, Kennedy has insisted that current practices within Gavi must be revised to ensure they align with the essential health principles of safeguarding children's health before any financial support is reinstated. This profound shift in the U.S.'s approach to international vaccine support comes amid increasing global scrutiny over immunization protocols and public health strategies.
Kennedy's sharp criticism centers on his belief that Gavi has mishandled issues related to vaccine safety, choosing instead to prioritize public relations over health concerns. According to him, this selective application of science has compromised the credibility of vaccination efforts globally. “When vaccine safety issues have come before Gavi, Gavi has treated them not as a patient health problem, but as a public relations problem,” Kennedy stated in his message.
In response, Gavi’s officials firmly defended their practices, labeling Kennedy’s claims as unfounded and reiterating that their decisions are guided exclusively by credible scientific research. Despite the disagreements, Kennedy has insisted that current practices within Gavi must be revised to ensure they align with the essential health principles of safeguarding children's health before any financial support is reinstated. This profound shift in the U.S.'s approach to international vaccine support comes amid increasing global scrutiny over immunization protocols and public health strategies.
