USA to free up $600 million in withheld funding for vaccine alliance Gavi

The USA is preparing to release $600 million in congressional funding for Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, ending months of uncertainty over Washington's support for the global immunization body. The money, appropriated for the 2025 and 2026 fiscal years, had been held back amid a dispute over vaccine safety and how the alliance chooses and buys its shots.

Gavi's board will decide exactly how the funds are spent, but malaria vaccination across sub-Saharan Africa is expected to be a leading priority. The alliance is facing a budget shortfall of about $1.9 billion, and has said the American contribution is vital for preventive campaigns against diseases such as cholera and for keeping global vaccine stockpiles topped up.