Senator Susan Collins (R-Maine) announced on Tuesday, July 29th, 2026, that the U.S. State Department is set to reinstate funding for GAVI, the Vaccine Alliance, a global humanitarian vaccine program. This follows a funding pause during the Trump administration.

“It is welcome news that following our recent outreach, the State Department has committed to contributing the full $600 million for GAVI, the Vaccine Alliance,” Collins said in a press release.

Collins emphasized her efforts to ensure that the Department uses the funds appropriated by Congress to support GAVI, which plays a critical role in preventing the spread of vaccine-preventable diseases worldwide and stopping outbreaks before they reach U.S. borders.

Last month, Secretary of State Marco Rubio indicated the possibility of restarting U.S. funding for GAVI, reversing a prior decision by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy. Rubio told the Senate Foreign Relations Committee that the State Department had been taking back control of U.S. relations with GAVI, which provides vaccines to developing countries.

According to Rubio, President Trump asked Kennedy to lead the decision on GAVI funding due to his strong views on vaccine safety and a desire for reforms. However, Kennedy and the Department of Health and Human Services had previously held up $600 million in appropriated funding over concerns about vaccine safety.

Historically, a significant portion of GAVI's budget has come from Congress, with the State Department traditionally overseeing the funding.

Sources