Kennedy called on Gavi “to re-earn the public trust and to justify the $8 billion America has provided in funding since 2001,” saying officials must “consider the best science available, even when that science contradicts established paradigms.” Kennedy said until that happens, the U.S. won’t contribute further to Gavi.

Gavi works to expand access to vaccines for children in some of the world’s poorest countries. Health experts say the move could have deadly consequences.

The U.S. will no longer contribute funding to Gavi, a global alliance that helps buy vaccines for the world's poorest children, because it ignores safety, Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said on Wednesday,