WASHINGTON – The ONE Campaign released the following statement following reports that, in video remarks meant for display at Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance’s replenishment summit, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced the US will not provide funding to Gavi. The President’s full budget request, released in May, zeroed out US contributions to Gavi, which has immunized more than one billion children against preventable diseases since 2000.  

“Secretary Kennedy’s reported comments are misleading,” said Elizabeth Hoffman, Executive Director for North America at the ONE Campaign. “Results-driven, accountable programs like Gavi save lives and improve livelihoods – at home and abroad. 

“Every dollar spent in Gavi-supported countries returns $21 in health savings. Gavi invests more than 4 times as much funding in the American private sector as the US contributes to Gavi, purchasing American-made medicine, glass vials, stoppers, tubing, and other materials that make its work possible.

“Congress alone holds the power to fund Gavi, which it has done repeatedly, with strong bipartisan support. ONE remains committed to ensuring that the US maintains its important leadership in supporting Gavi’s lifesaving and economy-building activities.”

Background

A recent survey of 7,000 Americans conducted by ONE and Stack Data Strategy found widespread support for US investments in international health programs:

• 65% of respondents said they support investments that prevent and treat disease in other countries to reduce the risk of international outbreaks.
  • Of survey respondents who identified as “strongly conservative,” 58% were supportive.
• 69% of respondents support US funding efforts to treat and eliminate HIV/AIDS.
• Respondents who opposed these programs were asked if they would change their minds if they knew that such programs purchased medicine and supplies from US companies in a way which supported American jobs. 54% of this group replied that this would, in fact, make them more supportive.

View more survey results here.