The global vaccine alliance Gavi has warned that cuts in international aid, primarily from the United States, are severely impacting the rollout of malaria vaccines in Africa, potentially endangering tens of thousands of children's lives. The warning comes as the Trump administration's freeze on foreign assistance continues to disrupt global health programs.
According to Gavi, the funding shortfall has forced a significant reduction in the deployment of the RTS,S and R21 malaria vaccines, which have been shown to reduce severe malaria cases by up to 30% in young children. The vaccines were being introduced in high-burden countries including Ghana, Kenya, and Malawi.
Malaria remains a leading cause of death for children under five in sub-Saharan Africa, with the World Health Organization reporting an estimated 249 million cases globally in 2022, leading to 608,000 deaths. The majority of these deaths occur in Africa, where children are the most vulnerable.
Gavi's CEO Dr. Seth Berkley stated that the cuts could reverse years of progress in malaria control, emphasizing that every dollar invested in vaccination saves lives and reduces healthcare costs. The alliance is urgently seeking alternative funding sources to maintain vaccine supply chains.
The situation highlights the broader impact of US foreign aid reductions on global health initiatives, with experts warning that other disease prevention programs, including for polio and measles, could also face disruptions.
