Gates foundation to commit $1.6 billion for Gavi vaccine alliance

June 24 (Reuters) - The Gates Foundation said on Tuesday it will commit $1.6 billion over the next five years to support Gavi, a public-private partnership that helps buy vaccines for the world's poorest children.

The number of kids dying around the world will likely go up this year because of the massive cuts to foreign aid, Bill Gates, the chair of the foundation, said in a statement, adding that funding Gavi was the single most powerful step to stop it.

U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr, a long-time vaccine skeptic, is set to speak this week at a fundraising event for Gavi, Reuters reported on Monday, citing sources

The Trump administration has previously indicated that it planned to cut its funding for Gavi.