Janice R. Andrews
The Trump administration has halted funding for the USAID Malaria Vaccine Development Program (MVDP), a critical initiative supporting second-generation malaria vaccines. The program, which collaborates with institutions like Johns Hopkins University and Oxford University, focuses on reducing child mortality in malaria-affected regions.
President Trump’s recent decision to freeze MVDP funding has sparked concern among health experts, who fear it will reverse years of progress in malaria research. Scientists warn that this move could severely disrupt vaccine development efforts, potentially costing countless lives in malaria-endemic areas.
A senior academic involved in the program described the shutdown as a major setback for global health. Tom Drake, a senior policy analyst at the Center for Global Development, stated, “The development of malaria vaccines is one of the greatest global health achievements, made possible through MVDP funding.”
Drake also noted that while alternative funding sources might fill the gap, this shift would divert resources from other vital health research areas. The funding cut poses a serious threat to ongoing efforts in the fight against malaria and other preventable diseases worldwide.
