Bill Gates Praises Sweden: "A Model of Generosity"

The United States has halted its funding for vaccines for children in impoverished countries, a decision that worries Microsoft founder Bill Gates. He expressed to Dagens Nyheter his hope for continued contributions from Sweden.

Robert F Kennedy Jr., the U.S. Health Minister, has decided to withdraw all financial support from the global vaccine alliance Gavi, which ensures that approximately 60 million children receive vaccines annually.

The withdrawn support amounts to about $300 million per year, equivalent to roughly 2.8 billion SEK. Gavi's annual budget is around $2 billion, or 20 billion SEK.

According to Kennedy, Gavi has allegedly provided questionable advice on COVID vaccines to pregnant women and silenced critical voices. The support is withdrawn, according to the health minister, until Gavi "regains public trust."

"Unscientific Anti-Vaxx Element"

Bill Gates, chairman of the Gates Foundation, which co-hosted the donor conference with the European Union, told Dagens Nyheter that the video address saddened him.

"Kennedy referred to a study that is not at all representative of the research and suggests there is reason to worry about taking vaccines. It was an unscientific anti-vaxx element," says Bill Gates.

Gates now praises Sweden, one of six countries that laid the foundation for the vaccine alliance. He also hopes Sweden will continue to contribute to Gavi.

"You are a model of generosity, along with Norway. If Sweden cuts back on its contribution, it could lead other countries to withdraw completely or reduce their support," he tells DN.

Sweden has contributed approximately 332 million SEK annually to Gavi and 250 million SEK to specific vaccine bonds.