Africa health body calls on Trump to honour US vaccine pledges

In September, US President Joe Biden pledged $500 million and 1 million vaccine doses to an mpox response plan.
Africa's main public health body said it is seeking assurances that US President-elect Donald Trump's administration will provide the funding and mpox vaccines promised by his predecessor.
In September, US President Joe Biden pledged $500 million and 1 million vaccine doses to an mpox response plan led by the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, which is battling an mpox outbreak on the continent.
More To Read
- First white South Africans to arrive under US refugee plan as soon as next week
- Somaliland at crossroads: Could US geostrategic interests break recognition deadlock?
- Dozens of students arrested in pro-Palestinian protest at Columbia University
- Frosty relations begin to melt as Ramaphosa, Trump hold first call
- President Trump to support Somalia’s war on terror
- Trump threatens bombing if Iran does not make nuclear deal
While mpox cases continue to spread on the African continent, donors have been slow to translate their promises into money and vaccines needed to accelerate the response, according to Africa CDC.
Asked if Trump's recent electoral victory could impact US support for African healthcare, Africa CDC Director John Kaseya said he would push the new administration to honour existing promises.
"As we start to discuss with some of the officials ... we'll continue to talk to them and to engage them to fulfil their commitment," Kaseya told reporters.
"If they don't do that, the mistrust that we have today in Africa will lead to a major issue between the US and the continent."
Trump recently said he would let anti-vaccine advocate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. make decisions on US healthcare policy.
The activist who has been criticized for making false medical claims, including that vaccines are linked to autism, said that Trump had promised him control over the FDA, CDC, HHS, and the USDA.
"I'm available to fly and to meet and discuss with them about what Africa needs in the health area and how we can work together," Kaseya said.
Top Stories Today
- World Bank: Africa risks missing growth dream over conflict, weak reforms
- Taita Taveta launches policy to attract investors, boost local economy
- Tanzania nullifies Chadema appointments over quorum breach
- TSC budget shortfall leaves 20,000 intern teachers in limbo
- Victims of human-wildlife conflict urged to claim compensation
- Eastleigh hawkers count losses as rains disrupt business for third day
- Lobby groups urge activation of victim protection fund to protect children
- Deputy Governors seek constitutional changes to have clear mandates
- Funding shortfall leaves Somali women, children facing death
- City Hall to freeze accounts, auction properties over Sh50bn arrears
- Sh40.7bn budget shortfall threatens military recruitment, operations
- Kenya’s security at risk as regional instability grows, warns NIS boss
- Supreme Court Judge Ouko warns of eroding public trust due to case delays
- Palestine lifts ban on Al Jazeera's operations in Palestinian territories
- Kenya aims to quadruple tea exports to China by 2030
- KNEC announces July, August deadlines for 2025 CBC assessments
- Kagame urges Africa to ditch aid dependence after US cuts
- Tanzania arrests Chadema official travelling to Brussels conference
- Garissa residents want colonial-era boundary fuelling disputes scrapped
- Lake Basin Board official Ebel Ochieng detained for 23 days in probe into MP Were's murder