A major initiative to develop more effective malaria vaccines has been abruptly suspended following a funding freeze imposed by former President Donald Trump’s administration. The move has disrupted critical global health research efforts, leaving scientists scrambling for alternatives.
The USAID Malaria Vaccine Development Programme (MVDP), which has been instrumental in funding malaria research, has instructed key research institutions including Johns Hopkins University in the United States and the University of Oxford in the United Kingdom to halt their work. The abrupt funding cut has alarmed scientists and public health officials, who warn that the progress made in combating malaria could be severely compromised.
The goal of MVDP is to reduce malaria deaths, particularly among children under five, who remain the most vulnerable to the disease. Malaria continues to be a leading cause of child mortality in sub-Saharan Africa, with approximately 450,000 young lives lost to the disease each year.
In 2024, two malaria vaccines were introduced, marking a historic milestone in the fight against the disease. However, ongoing research aimed at improving their effectiveness and longevity has now been derailed. Scientists fear that without continued support, these vaccines may not reach their full potential, ultimately limiting their ability to save lives.
A researcher involved in the project, speaking to The Guardian, emphasized the potential consequences of halting the studies midstream.
“MVDP-funded projects often involve testing vaccines in humans for the first time. Stopping these trials suddenly poses significant risks, not only in terms of scientific progress but also in ensuring the safety of participants who are part of long-term studies,” the scientist explained.
Additionally, the funding freeze has introduced uncertainty about oversight and continuity within USAID. The removal of several senior officials from key US health agencies has left many experts wondering who will conduct the program’s ongoing review, which is expected to last at least 90 days.
Tom Drake, a senior policy expert at the Center for Global Development, warned that these cuts could have far-reaching consequences.
“The development of malaria vaccines has been one of the greatest global health achievements, thanks largely to MVDP funding. If alternative funders step in, resources will inevitably be diverted from other crucial areas of research,” Drake said.
Beyond malaria research, the cuts have begun affecting other global health initiatives. In South Africa, a project focused on producing key ingredients for antiretroviral (ARV) drugs is now at risk. Prof. Kelly Chibale, director of the H3D research center at the University of Cape Town, expressed concern over the sustainability of the program.
“We are urgently seeking alternative funding to keep this critical initiative alive. If our US-based collaborators lose staff and funding, the ripple effects will be significant,” Chibale stated.
Similarly, research into new HIV prevention strategies such as injectable treatments and vaginal rings has been paused. Prof. Kenneth Ngure of Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, who is also the president-elect of the International AIDS Society, warned that the impact of these disruptions could be irreversible.
“Even if these projects resume after 90 days, the damage will already be done. Research doesn’t operate like a switch that can be turned on and off without consequences. If we lose momentum, we lose years of progress,” Ngure said.
Ngure also highlighted the risks faced by study participants who rely on experimental HIV prevention drugs.
“If drug levels in a participant’s body drop below protective thresholds, they become vulnerable to infection. Worse still, drug-resistant strains could develop and spread, making treatment far more difficult,” he added.
Another major concern is the fate of recently completed studies that are awaiting data analysis. Researchers have an ethical obligation to complete these studies and disseminate findings, but the funding freeze has cast doubt on whether this will happen.
“Participants volunteered their time, and we owe them a responsibility to complete the research. The current situation puts both scientific integrity and patient safety at risk,” Ngure explained.
Many experts are urging the US government to reconsider its decision. The United States has historically played a leading role in global health initiatives, particularly in fighting malaria and HIV. A sudden halt in funding risks undoing decades of progress, potentially setting back public health efforts by years or even decades.
“The US government has been instrumental in preventing infections and supporting life-saving research. We were making significant strides toward controlling malaria and HIV. A funding freeze of this magnitude is a serious setback,” Ngure warned.
Amid the backlash, a US State Department spokesperson has announced a waiver permitting life-saving humanitarian aid to continue. However, it remains unclear whether this will be enough to sustain vital research projects that have already been forced to shut down.
For now, global health experts remain in limbo, hoping that alternative funding sources can be secured before the damage becomes irreversible.
