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3w ago

U.S. Cancels 22 mRNA Vaccine Contracts, Shifts Funding to Broader Platforms

Kennedy Jr. said data show mRNA vaccines offer limited protection against respiratory infections, prompting a reallocation of nearly $500 million to more established vaccine technologies.

U.S. Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. listens at a Make Oklahoma Healthy Again kickoff event at the Oklahoma State Capitol in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, U.S. June 26, 2025. REUTERS/Nick Oxford
Empty vials of the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccine are pictured in a vaccination center as part of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccination campaign in Geneva, Switzerland February 3, 2021. REUTERS/Denis Balibouse cesto tacho de basura vacunas
Robert Kennedy Jr., secretario de Salud de EEUU.
El secretario de Salud y Servicios Humanos (HHS, por sus siglas en inglés), Robert F. Kennedy Jr. habla mientras el presidente Donald Trump escucha, en un evento para promover su propuesta de mejorar el acceso de los estadounidenses a sus registros médicos en la Sala este de la Casa Blanca, el miércoles 30 de julio de 2025, en Washington. (AP Foto/Mark Schiefelbein)

Overview

  • The Department of Health rescinded 22 BARDA-supported mRNA vaccine agreements, including Moderna’s H5N1 avian flu candidate and multiple Pfizer and Sanofi proposals.
  • Projects affected span federal partnerships with Emory University, Tiba Biotech and other biotech firms, bringing the total impact to almost $500 million.
  • Secretary of Health Robert Kennedy Jr. cited evidence of insufficient mRNA defense against upper respiratory illnesses as the basis for redirecting funds.
  • Select advanced-stage mRNA projects will remain funded to preserve earlier taxpayer investments and maintain critical pandemic preparedness capabilities.
  • The policy shift follows FDA warnings on myocarditis risks in young men and intensifies debate over balancing vaccine innovation with long-standing safety records.