U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced he is canceling federal funding totaling US$500 million across 22 mRNA vaccine development projects aimed at fighting respiratory viruses such as COVID‑19, seasonal flu, and H5N1. These contracts, part of BARDA (Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority), involve major pharmaceutical firms including Pfizer, Sanofi‑Pasteur, Moderna, CSL Seqirus, and academic teams like Emory University and Tiba Biotech, reported Politico..Kennedy, known for his skepticism of mainstream vaccine strategies, justified the decision by stating that data show mRNA vaccines:“Fail to protect effectively against upper respiratory infections like COVID and flu”Pose “more risk than benefit” for these virusesMay lose effectiveness due to viral mutationHe pledged that the freed-up funds will be redirected to platforms like whole-virus vaccines and other novel, broader vaccine strategies that, in his view, retain efficacy even when viruses mutate, reported the New York Post.Kennedy emphasized that other uses of mRNA technology within HHS remain unaffected.The decision has drawn swift condemnation from infectious disease specialists and former federal health officials.The decision aligns with Kennedy’s broader attempts to embed vaccine skepticism within public policy. Since taking office in early 2025, he has dismissed advisory panels, scaled back COVID‑19 vaccine endorsements, and launched initiatives into debunked vaccine‑autism links.
