Overview

• Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced termination of 22 BARDA mRNA vaccine contracts totaling $500 million in funding
• HHS will allow current mRNA vaccine projects to finish their final development stages but will bar any new initiatives using the technology
• Funding from halted mRNA contracts will be redirected toward alternative vaccine platforms, including whole-virus and other non-mRNA strategies
• The department clarified that other mRNA research programs, such as approved COVID-19 and RSV vaccines, remain unaffected by the decision
• Public health experts, including former BARDA director Rick Bright and epidemiologist Mike Osterholm, warned that cutting mRNA development threatens future pandemic preparedness