Overview

• Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced termination of $500 million in federal support for 22 mRNA vaccine initiatives targeting Covid-19, influenza and H5N1 respiratory diseases.
• Contracts with leading pharmaceutical companies including Pfizer and Moderna have been ended, while other mRNA applications such as cancer immunotherapies remain unaffected.
• Kennedy cited data he says show mRNA vaccines lack effectiveness against upper respiratory infections and pledged to invest in “better solutions” such as whole-virus and alternative platforms.
• Infectious-disease experts like Mike Osterholm and Paul Offit warn that cutting mRNA funding will weaken rapid response capabilities and undermine future pandemic preparedness.
• The funding cuts follow a series of policy overhauls under Kennedy’s tenure, including the dismissal of the CDC’s immunization advisory panel and the end of U.S. contributions to global vaccine efforts like Gavi.