US conditions funding to global vaccine group on dropping thimerosal from vaccines

The United States has told Gavi to phase out the preservative thimerosal and says it will withhold new funding until a plan for removal is developed and initiated.

The United States has asked the global vaccine alliance Gavi to develop and begin a plan to remove the preservative thimerosal from vaccines as a condition for receiving U.S. funding. A U.S. Department of Health and Human Services official told Reuters the United States will withhold future new funding until such a plan is developed and initiated. Gavi confirmed it received the request and said any change to its vaccine portfolio would require a decision by its board and input from governance committees guided by scientific consensus. The request covers a remaining $300 million U.S. pledge and any future U.S. contributions. Known points: - A U.S. HHS official told Reuters the United States has asked Gavi to phase out thimerosal and will withhold future new funding until a removal plan is developed and initiated. - Gavi confirmed the request and said decisions about changes to its vaccine portfolio require a board decision and input from governance committees guided by scientific consensus. - The request applies to the outstanding $300 million pledged by the United States and to any future U.S. funding, and Gavi and the U.S. government remain in contact. Summary: The U.S. has linked funding to a plan to remove thimerosal and says it will withhold new funding until such a plan is developed and initiated. Gavi has acknowledged the request and says any portfolio changes require formal board and governance committee decisions; the timing of those decisions is undetermined at this time.