The Trump administration said on Wednesday it will immediately release $600 million in congressionally appropriated funds for vaccines for the world's poorest countries after Washington withheld the money over safety concerns raised by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio had said in June that it was time to re-engage with the Geneva-based global alliance Gavi, which helps the world's poorest countries buy vaccines to protect children from diseases such as measles and diphtheria, citing both congressional concerns and "our goals on global health."
The previous month, Gavi's chief executive Sania Nishtar had said Gavi was moving away from vaccines that included a mercury-based preservative about which Kennedy had raised concerns.
The State Department said in a statement on Wednesday the decision to release funds was taken after Gavi committed "to work towards transitioning mercury-containing vaccines and expanding access to newer, mercury-free alternatives."
Representatives for Gavi did not immediately respond to a request for comment sent late Wednesday night in Geneva.