Washington, D.C.: The US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has announced plans to withdraw $500 million in funding for the development of mRNA vaccines targeting viruses such as COVID-19 and the seasonal flu.
The move will impact 22 ongoing projects led by prominent pharmaceutical firms including Pfizer and Moderna, according to an official statement from the department. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a vocal vaccine skeptic, made the announcement, stating that the department’s review of scientific data led to concerns that mRNA technology poses more risks than benefits for these respiratory viruses.
Kennedy argued that current data show mRNA vaccines fail to protect effectively against upper respiratory infections, such as COVID-19 and the flu, and can encourage new mutations that may prolong pandemics. Kennedy said the funds would be redirected toward what he described as ‘safer, broader vaccine platforms’ that remain effective even as viruses evolve.
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The decision has drawn widespread criticism from medical experts and public health officials. Dr. Peter Lurie, a former US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) official, said the move represents the US turning its back on one of the most promising tools to fight the next pandemic.
Dr. Paul Offit, director of the Vaccine Education Centre at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and inventor of the rotavirus vaccine, emphasised the safety and importance of mRNA technology. Dr. Offit remarked that, “mRNA vaccines are remarkably safe,” warning that cancelling funding for them could leave the country more vulnerable in the event of a future pandemic. Offit noted that these vaccines were essential in the rapid response to Covid-19 due to their shorter development timelines.
Experts also challenged Kennedy’s claim that mRNA vaccines contribute to virus mutations. The Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), which oversees the vaccine development programs, stated it will now prioritise platforms with stronger safety records and transparent clinical and manufacturing data practices.
Kennedy’s latest move follows a series of controversial reforms within the health department. In June, he dismissed all 17 members of the committee responsible for issuing official immunisation recommendations, replacing them with individuals who have previously questioned vaccine safety. He also removed the Covid-19 vaccine from the CDC’s recommended schedule for healthy children and pregnant women.
Moderna and Pfizer’s mRNA vaccines were both rigorously tested in large-scale trials and have been widely credited with saving millions of lives during the Covid-19 pandemic. Despite the funding cut, experts maintain that mRNA vaccine platforms remain a vital component of the global pandemic response strategy.
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