US resumes cooperation with vaccine alliance amid Ebola outbreak

The United States is set to resume its collaboration with the global vaccine alliance Gavi, a move that comes as an Ebola outbreak grips parts of Africa. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the decision on Tuesday during a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing.

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The decision to resume cooperation was made a few weeks ago, after the U.S. administration withdrew funding for Gavi last year.

This renewed partnership follows the U.S. administration's decision last year to withdraw its financial support from Gavi. The alliance plays a critical role in providing vaccines to the world's poorest countries, helping to protect children from diseases such as measles and diphtheria, and also works to combat disease outbreaks.

In response to the current Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda, Gavi has committed $50 million. Of this amount, $10 million will support immediate response efforts, while the remaining funds aim to accelerate vaccine access. Currently, there are no approved treatments or vaccines for the specific Ebola variant circulating in the region.

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Gavi helps the world's poorest countries buy vaccines so they can better protect children from diseases like measles and diphtheria.

Last year, Gavi's finances were significantly impacted when then-U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced the cessation of U.S. financial aid. Historically, the U.S. has been Gavi's largest contributor. Kennedy had previously expressed skepticism about vaccines, accusing Gavi of neglecting vaccine safety without providing evidence.

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Gavi has made $50 million available for the response to the ongoing Ebola outbreak in DR Congo and Uganda.

The exact implications of the renewed cooperation remain unclear. In addition to halting future funding, the U.S. had also withheld $600 million in previously approved support over two years. Several U.S. senators have been advocating for the release of these funds. Gavi CEO Sania Nishtar welcomed the U.S. Secretary of State's statements as "very positive."

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There are no approved treatments or vaccines against the Ebola variant currently circulating in the Central African countries.