Vaccines should be viewed as a matter of national security, according to Richard Hatchett, who warned that growing anti vaccine sentiment around the world could undermine global preparedness for future pandemics and biological threats. Hatchett, who leads the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations, said epidemics and pandemics remain among the most significant risks facing governments today and should be treated not only as public health concerns but also as strategic security challenges requiring sustained investment and coordinated international action. Speaking about the coalition’s new funding drive, he said Cepi is seeking 3.6 billion dollars for its work between 2027 and 2031, building on 1.1 billion dollars already secured and requesting an additional 2.5 billion dollars to accelerate the development of vaccines targeting emerging pandemic and epidemic threats.
Hatchett emphasised that the risks Cepi is preparing for include naturally emerging viruses, laboratory accidents and the possibility of deliberately engineered biological threats, warning that advances in artificial intelligence could both increase potential risks and enhance the speed of response if properly managed. He said governments have generally recognised the urgency of preparedness even as memories of COVID 19 fade and the global funding climate becomes more constrained, with several wealthy countries reducing foreign aid commitments. He also expressed concern about the politicisation of vaccine policy in the United States, noting that declining public trust and the spread of anti vaccine narratives could reduce immunisation uptake during future outbreaks and weaken the effectiveness of emergency responses.
Funding challenges have intensified following cuts to global immunisation programmes, including the elimination of US support for Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance under the administration of Donald Trump. His Health Secretary, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., has previously promoted anti vaccine views that contradict scientific consensus, adding to concerns among global health leaders about declining public confidence in immunisation. In another setback, the United States cancelled more than 700 million dollars in funding for an mRNA bird flu vaccine being developed by Moderna, prompting Cepi to step in with 54.3 million dollars to help support the late stage development of the shot.
Despite these challenges, Hatchett said he expects Washington to remain a strong partner in global health security and noted that cooperation has continued on outbreak responses, including recent Marburg virus disease cases in Rwanda and Ethiopia. He plans to travel to the United States in the coming weeks for further talks with government officials and stakeholders, stressing that sustained collaboration, rapid vaccine development and strong international coordination will be essential to protect populations and maintain global stability in the face of future biological threats.
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