U.S. withdraws financial support from international vaccine organization Gavi, as per Kennedy's statement.

U.S. withdraws financial support from international vaccine organization Gavi, as per Kennedy's statement.

A Brutally Honest Take on Vaccine Funding with Conservationist RFK Jr.

London - The Hornet's Nest of Controversy

The infamous U.S. Health Secretary, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., has stirred a tempest by asserting that the States are yanking their funding from Gavi, the outrageous reason being their alleged dishonesty, flouting of science, and loss of the public's faith. The accusation, a bombshell, was fired at a gathering of the organization in Brussels on a Wednesday, hoping to swindle a least $9 billion for the next five years.

It's crucial to bear in mind that this organization boasts a glorious track record of vaccinating over a billion children through basic immunization programs.

Kennedy, the perpetual skeptic about vaccines, didn't miss the chance to harp on Gavi's partnership with the World Health Organization during the COVID-19 crisis. He accused them of smothering dissenting voices and valid questions regarding vaccine safety. As a cherry on top, he recklessly denounced the DTP vaccine, repeatedly hailed as safe and effective by health agencies around the world.

A Defense from Gavi

Gavi, in a staunch statement, emphasized their unwavering dedication to the health and safety of children. They asserted that their decisions on vaccines are always made in cooperation with the WHO's expert vaccine group.

Of course, some American doctors were far from impressed. Dr. Paul Offit of the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia classed the move as "catastrophic" and warned that defunding immunizations would put millions of children in peril.

Measles on the Rise - California's dire Wake-up Call

California has already recorded more measles cases this year than they did in 2024, a deeply troubling trend indicative of the nation's largest outbreak of the contagious disease in recent decades.

Gavi, a mesmerizing public-private partnership encompassing the WHO, UNICEF, the Gates Foundation, and the World Bank, is estimated to have saved 18 million lives through their vaccination programs. The United States has traditionally stood as a stalwart supporter; in the days before the reelection of President Donald Trump, the nation committed $1 billion for the period spanning 2030.

In under four minutes, Kennedy challenged Gavi to vindicate the $8 billion in funding bestowed since 2001. He demanded that officials weigh the scientific evidence available, regardless of whether it contradicts existing paradigms. Kennedy advanced the mandate that the U.S. would withhold further financial support to Gavi until this happened.

The health secretary honed in on the COVID-19 vaccine, recommending it for pregnant women, whom he believed to be at heightened risk of severe disease. Kennedy termed this advice as questionable, as his Centers for Disease Control and Prevention had ceased advocating for it.

He also lashed out at Gavi for bankrolling a vaccination rollout to forestall diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis in less fortunate countries. Kennedy claimed that he'd seen research suggesting that young girls who received the vaccine were more prone to dying from various causes than those left unvaccinated.

Gavi retorted that experts had scrutinized the available data, including any research sparking concerns, and asserted that the DTP vaccine has played a vital role in halving child mortality.

Some studies have shown a higher death rate for vaccinated girls compared to unvaccinated children. Yet, this disparity is not linked to the vaccine, as no solid evidence demonstrates a causal link. Dr. Paul Offit, however, cautioned that the studies referenced by Kennedy were not compelling and that research focusing on linkages between vaccinations and mortality did not prove causation.

"In the realm of vaccine science, there's no basis for the notion that the [diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis vaccine] might precipitate more deaths among children," Offit stated.

Medical humanitarians, Doctors Without Borders, cautioned that the U.S.'s withdrawal of support would result in "countless children dying from vaccine-preventable diseases."

"By citing flawed arguments about vaccine safety to justify cutting all global vaccine funding, one can only refer to the action as callous and reckless," declared Mihir Mankad, the charity's U.S. global health advocacy and policy director. "When millions of children stand to benefit from vaccination programs, such programs represent a matter of life and death."

Kennedy's Speech on the Same Day

The recorded speech to Gavi from Kennedy occurred on the same day that his reconstituted U.S. vaccine advisory panel convened for the first time. Kennedy dismissed the previous 17-member panel this month and replaced it with a seven-member crew that includes several vaccine skeptics.

Cheng pens for the Associated Press. The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives financial backing from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute's Department of Science Education and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content.

Extra Insights

• Voices ### Hiltzik: Out with the old, in with the anti-science cabal - RFK Jr. flips flip-flop on committees
• Voices ### Hiltzik: Key GOP senator finally challenges RFK Jr.'s anti-vaccine policies - but his credibility is already tarnished

Kennedy's vaccine committee endorses flu shots - but with a skeptical caveat

1. Kennedy's criticism of Gavi's funding has sparked intense debate in the realm of global healthcare.
2. The $9 billion sought by Gavi for the next five years may hang in the balance due to Kennedy's accusations.
3. The controversy surrounding Gavi's partnership with the World Health Organization has taken center stage.
4. Questions about vaccine safety have been raised in the context of the COVID-19 crisis.
5. Dr. Paul Offit of the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia views Kennedy's criticism as potentially disastrous for global immunization programs.
6. California's surge in measles cases serves as a grim reminder of the danger posed by waning support for basic immunization programs.
7. Gavi's partnership with the WHO, UNICEF, the Gates Foundation, and the World Bank has saved millions of lives through vaccination programs.
8. The U.S. has previously pledged significant funding to Gavi, with a commitment of $1 billion for the 2030 period.
9. Kennedy has demanded that Gavi provides empirical evidence to support the safety of vaccines, particularly the DTP vaccine.
10. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention no longer advocates for the COVID-19 vaccine for pregnant women, a stance that Kennedy questions.
11. Kennedy also criticizes Gavi's funding of vaccine rollouts in less fortunate countries, citing research suggesting that young girls could be more susceptible to certain health conditions after receiving the DTP vaccine.
12. Gavi maintains that their decisions on vaccines are made in conjunction with the WHO's expert vaccine group.
13. Studies have shown a higher death rate for vaccinated girls compared to unvaccinated children; however, no causal link has been established.
14. Doctors Without Borders warns that the U.S.'s withdrawal of support would lead to an increase in vaccine-preventable diseases.
15. Mihir Mankad, the charity's U.S. global health advocacy and policy director, condemns the decision as callous and reckless.
16. Kennedy's replacement of the previous 17-member vaccine advisory panel with a seven-member crew featuring vaccine skeptics has garnered attention.
17. The new committee endorses flu shots, albeit with a skeptical tone.
18. Columnist Michael Hiltzik critiques Kennedy's move to flip-flop on committees, questioning his credibility.
19. Another columnist, Michael Hiltzik, criticizes Kennedy's anti-vaccine policies, even as a key GOP senator challenges them.
20. The financial backing of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute's Department of Science Education and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation supports the Associated Press Health and Science Department.
21. The U.S. vampirebats, a term coined by Kennedy to describe his critics, argue that he seeks to bring science back to its honest pursuit.
22. Kennedy's critics question his qualifications to lead the vaccine advisory panel, citing a lack of experience in medicine and science.
23. Kennedy's advocacy for renewable energy and mental health awareness has earned him respect in some circles.
24. Kennedy's defense of cbd and its potential health benefits has also garnered attention.
25. The storm surrounding Kennedy's approach to vaccines has affected his reputation in areas beyond healthcare, including business and finance.
26. Kennedy's stance on vaccines has impacted his associations with energy companies, raising questions about collaboration and corporate responsibility.
27. The conversation surrounding vaccines extends to health-and-wellness, fitness-and-exercise, and mental-health, as people seek to protect their body's various systems.
28. As concerns about chronic-diseases and skin-conditions rise, the importance of nutrition in maintaining cardiovascular-health becomes essential.
29. Energy-efficient solutions like renewable-energy and sustainable-living have gained prominence as people seek to produce less waste while promoting mental-health and eye-health.
30. The impacts of COVID-19 and other health-conditions have driven a surge in interest in home-and-garden, home-improvement, and baking, as people seek to improve family-dynamics and focus on personal-finance.
31. The world of interior-design, cooking, and social-media offer opportunities to learn about global-cuisines and lifestyle modifications related to health-and-wellness.
32. Outdoor-living, lifestyle changes, and adventures in travel have also taken on increased importance, particularly for individuals seeking to stay active and manage relationships during the pandemic.

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