Trump administration pulls back approximately $12 billion in immunisation funding

The United States has pulled back approximately $12 billion in federal COVID-19 immunization funding, the Minneapolis health department announced on Wednesday.
HHS confirmed that the funds were primarily utilised for COVID-19 response measures, including testing and vaccination. The department began issuing termination notices on Monday, stating that the pandemic has concluded and further spending on a "non-existent pandemic" was unnecessary, Reuters reported.
Senator Patty Murray reported that the administration terminated over $11 billion in CDC funding and approximately $1 billion from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Washington state alone lost more than $160 million in health funding, potentially affecting over 200 positions.
New York's Governor Kathy Hochul announced that her state faces cuts exceeding $300 million across various health departments. Illinois reported $125 million in withdrawn funding that had been designated for

infectious disease control

, whilst Massachusetts indicated the funds were supporting mental health services and addiction treatment.

The administration, which took office on January 20, has implemented significant cost-cutting measures, resulting in programme eliminations and agency reductions. The health department is now led by Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a known vaccine critic, whose appointment has caused concern among medical professionals.
Experts warn that without restoration or replacement of frozen funding, daily HIV infections globally could reach 2,000, with a potential tenfold increase in related fatalities.