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Global health agencies are raising alarms over deep cuts to international aid funding—led by the United States—that are severely disrupting childhood vaccination programs around the world. The situation, according to the United Nations, is causing setbacks similar in scale to those seen during the COVID-19 pandemic, when immunisation rates fell dramatically.
Disease Outbreaks on the Rise Amid Funding Shortfalls
Outbreaks of preventable diseases such as measles, meningitis, and yellow fever have been increasing globally. Health experts say this troubling trend is being compounded by a significant decline in vaccination efforts caused by emergency and routine funding cuts.
A joint release from the World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF, and Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance warned that nearly half of low- and lower-middle-income countries reported major disruptions to their immunisation programs as of early April.
The setbacks include:
- Reduced vaccine supplies
- Disrupted disease surveillance
- Delayed or cancelled vaccination campaigns
“Setbacks (are) at a similar level to what we saw during COVID-19. We cannot afford to lose ground in the fight against preventable disease,” said Catherine Russell, Executive Director of UNICEF.
U.S. Funding Cuts Play a Central Role
According to the joint statement, the United States, once the world’s largest donor to global health programs, has significantly scaled back its aid contributions. This includes a decision to cancel its $300 million annual contribution to Gavi, as revealed in an internal U.S. government document last month.
The aid cuts align with the broader “America First” policy, which prioritizes domestic spending and focuses foreign aid on narrowly defined strategic interests. The implications for childhood immunisation could be dire.
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The agencies warn that these funding reductions risk replicating the damage caused by the pandemic, which led to the largest backslide in childhood vaccination in a generation.
Gavi’s $9 Billion Appeal and the Fight Against Preventable Disease
In response to the crisis, Gavi is preparing for a major funding round in June, aiming to raise $9 billion for its global immunisation efforts from 2026 to 2030. These funds will support vaccination programs in some of the world’s most vulnerable communities.
“It is possible to reverse the rise in infectious diseases, but only if we are fully funded,” said Sania Nishtar, CEO of Gavi.
Measles cases have risen annually since 2021, meningitis spiked across Africa in 2023, and yellow fever cases have climbed again after years of decline, the agencies noted.
Questions Remain About U.S. Commitment
Despite cutting key contributions, the U.S. State Department recently nominated Mark Lloyd, assistant administrator for global health, to serve on Gavi’s 28-member board—filling a seat that had remained vacant.
Both the State Department and Gavi declined to comment on whether this appointment signals a renewed commitment or change in funding strategy.
For now, global health leaders are urging donor nations to maintain and increase their contributions to ensure millions of children do not miss out on life-saving vaccines.
