US Aid Cuts Cripple Vital HIV Vaccine Research in South Africa, Undermining Global Health and American Interests

Just days before clinical trials were set to begin on a promising HIV vaccine in South Africa—a nation at the epicenter of the HIV pandemic—U.S. funding was abruptly withdrawn. This decision, made under the Trump administration’s policy to sharply reduce foreign aid, has brought groundbreaking research to a screeching halt. How Does Cutting Aid Undermine America’s Fight Against Global Pandemics? The BRILLIANT program, backed by $46 million in U.S. investment, harnessed South Africa’s unique genetic diversity and scientific expertise to develop vaccines that could save millions worldwide. But with Washington pulling support, this vital work stopped cold. The consequences ripple...