The international vaccine agency, Gavi, has strongly rejected HHS Secretary Kennedy's accusations that it was not following scientific data on vaccines, after he said the U.S. would halt all contributions unless the body made changes to its practices.
Kennedy remarks were made at a Gavi pledging summit in Brussels on Wednesday, where countries and philanthropies promise to deliver funds. A video of Kennedy's remarks, first reported by Politico and later posted by The New York Times, show him praising Gavi for its mission of making medicine affordable to everyone but then pivoting to criticisms. He says the group "ignores the science" when it comes to vaccine safety and calls on Gavi to "re-earn the public trust" before the U.S. would reconsider its decision to end U.S. contributions.
Supporters of global vaccines for children are on high alert after published remarks made by Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., who said the U.S. would halt its contributions to Gavi, the international vaccine alliance.