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Vaccination

A Tragedy Unfolding: Global Aid Cuts and Anti-Vaccine Rhetoric Threaten Children's Lives

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

As a result of massive aid cuts implemented by the G7 and reductions in funding for the international vaccine alliance, Gavi, at least 14 million deaths, including 4 million children under five, are expected in the next five years. The UK's aid cuts alone will result in tens of millions fewer children being vaccinated against life-threatening diseases, with hundreds of thousands losing out on food delivered by the UN World Food Programme. The situation is exacerbated by US cuts in funding for HIV treatment in Africa, which will lead to 1 million more children becoming infected with HIV, 2.8 million more being orphaned, and half a million dying from infection.

Key Takeaways:

  • At least 14 million deaths, including 4 million children under five, are expected in the next five years due to massive aid cuts implemented by the G7 and reductions in funding for Gavi.
  • The UK's aid cuts will result in tens of millions fewer children being vaccinated against life-threatening diseases, with hundreds of thousands losing out on food delivered by the UN World Food Programme.
  • US cuts in funding for HIV treatment in Africa will lead to 1 million more children becoming infected with HIV, 2.8 million more being orphaned, and half a million dying from infection.
  • The situation in Ukraine, Gaza, Iran, and Sudan is concerning, with poverty, hunger, and suffering threatening both donors and recipients.
  • Disadvantaged communities with malnourished and unvaccinated people are a reservoir for the global spread of serious infectious diseases to vulnerable and unvaccinated populations.
  • The US administration is undermining confidence in immunization and dismantling the scientific assessment that leads to national vaccine policy.
  • Two children have died in Texas from measles, with the health secretary promoting the use of cod liver oil instead of MMR vaccination.
  • The US lost its measles elimination status in 2000, and data released this week showed that this year there have been 1,288 confirmed cases.
  • The UK's measles elimination status was lost in 2019, and vaccination rates are decreasing for some diseases, including measles.

Statistics:

  • 333 million children live in extreme poverty (defined as living on less than $1.58 a day) (UN).
  • 154 million lives have been saved by vaccination since the WHO began to roll out vaccines globally in 1974 (WHO).
  • 14 million deaths, including 4 million children under five, are expected in the next five years due to aid cuts and reduced funding for Gavi.
  • 1 million more children will be infected with HIV due to US cuts in funding for HIV treatment in Africa.
  • 2.8 million more children will be orphaned due to US cuts in funding for HIV treatment in Africa.
  • Half a million children will die from infection due to US cuts in funding for HIV treatment in Africa.
  • 1,288 confirmed cases of measles have been reported in the US this year.

Sources:

  • UN: "333 million children live in extreme poverty (defined as living on less than $1.58 a day)".
  • WHO: "154 million lives have been saved by vaccination since 1974".
  • One Campaign: "Tens of millions fewer children will be vaccinated against life-threatening diseases due to UK aid cuts".
  • UN World Food Programme: "Hundreds of thousands of children will lose out on food due to UK aid cuts".
  • American health secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr.: Comments promoting the use of cod liver oil over MMR vaccination.

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