Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the U.S. will re-engage with Gavi, reclaiming control of the global vaccine alliance from Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. The move represents a significant power shift in global health policy, with Rubio stating the State Department will resume management of the relationship after Kennedy had been given decision authority.

Congress has appropriated $600 million for Gavi that Kennedy has blocked, despite the State Department's traditional role in handling the relationship. Gavi provides critical immunizations for low-income nations and maintains the global Ebola vaccine stockpile, with Dr. Sania Nishtar expressing encouragement at Rubio's remarks.

Rubio's testimony revealed President Trump had asked Kennedy to play a leading role in Gavi decisions due to his "strongly held views" on vaccine safety. The conflict stems from Kennedy's 2025 decision to withdraw U.S. support, claiming Gavi treated safety concerns as PR issues rather than patient health problems.