U.S. Reevaluates $590M Moderna Bird Flu Vaccine Contract

The review, led by a vaccine-skeptic HHS, questions spending on mRNA-based vaccines awarded under the Biden administration.

The U.S. government is reviewing a $590 million contract awarded to Moderna for the development of an H5N1 bird flu mRNA vaccine.
The contract was initially approved during the final days of the Biden administration to bolster pandemic preparedness.
The Department of Health and Human Services, now led by vaccine-skeptic Robert F. Kennedy Jr., cites concerns about past oversight and spending on mRNA vaccine projects.
Moderna had completed early trials and was preparing for late-stage trials, but the funding review may delay progress on the vaccine.
The review comes as bird flu continues to impact U.S. poultry, with 166 million chickens lost since 2022 and limited human cases reported.