The US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has declared that it will cancel $500 million (£376 million) designated for the development of mRNA vaccines aimed at combating respiratory viruses, including the flu and Covid-19. The initiative includes 22 projects from leading pharmaceutical companies like Pfizer and Moderna. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a vocal vaccine skeptic, stated that the funding was withdrawn due to claims that "mRNA technology poses more risks than benefits for these respiratory viruses."
Kennedy’s long-standing skepticism over the safety and efficacy of vaccines has drawn criticism from doctors and health experts alike. Peter Lurie, a former official with the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), highlighted that the development of mRNA vaccines was essential in mitigating the Covid-19 pandemic and saving countless lives. He warned that this withdrawal represents a significant regression in leveraging one of the most effective tools for future pandemic responses.
In his announcement, Kennedy asserted that extensive reviews of the science and expert opinions led to the decision. He added that current data suggests these vaccines do not effectively protect against upper respiratory infections, necessitating a pivot towards "safer, broader vaccine platforms." He claimed that mRNA vaccines may contribute to new mutations in viruses, potentially prolonging pandemics, despite numerous health experts refuting this notion. Dr. Paul Offit from the Vaccine Education Center pointed out that viruses mutate independently of vaccination efforts.
In light of this funding cancellation, HHS indicated that the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) would redirect its focus towards vaccine platforms with a proven safety track record and transparent clinical data practices. Unlike traditional vaccines that utilize inactivated viruses to induce immune responses, mRNA vaccines operate by instructing cells to produce proteins for immune activation. These vaccines underwent extensive testing before rollout and were deemed safe and effective.
Critics fear that this funding cut may place the US at a disadvantage for future pandemic preparedness, as mRNA vaccines facilitate quicker development timelines—an essential factor in the rapid response to Covid-19. Since taking office, Kennedy has driven various changes in the national health department, including overhauls in the vaccine advisory committee and removing the Covid vaccine from the recommended immunization schedules for healthy children and pregnant women.
