Aid groups dismayed as UK poised to cut vaccination funding

The UK is poised to cut funding to a global vaccination group that has inoculated more than a billion children in developing countries, a move aid groups say would be counter-productive and cost lives.

- Peter Walker

The expected decision is causing particular alarm given that it would take place immediately after Donald Trump in effect shut down the United States Agency for International Development (USAid), halting much of its own vaccination work.

The UK has been one of the biggest single donors to the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunisation (Gavi), giving the Geneva-based public-private organisation more than £2bn over the last four years.

But with the UK aid budget cut from 0.7% to 0.5% of GDP, and large sums from the remaining pot diverted to pay for the cost of supporting asylum seekers in the UK, officials and aid groups say contributions to Gavi are likely to be cut significantly.