The US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has decided to cancel $500 million (£376 million) in funding for various mRNA vaccine initiatives aimed at combatting respiratory viruses, including the flu and Covid-19. This decision affects 22 projects led by pharmaceutical titans like Pfizer and Moderna, which were designed to develop vaccines against avian influenza and other emerging viruses.
Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., known for his vaccine skepticism, stated that the funding was being reallocated due to concerns over the potential risks that mRNA technology may pose compared to its benefits for respiratory infections. Critics have expressed alarm at Kennedy's long-standing doubts regarding vaccine safety and effectiveness, which they argue undermine public health efforts.
Peter Lurie, a former official with the US Food and Drug Administration, criticized the cancellation, stating that it represents a significant setback for the US and a refusal to embrace one of the most effective weapons against potential pandemics. He emphasized the life-saving impact that mRNA vaccines had during the Covid-19 crisis.
In a statement, Kennedy outlined that his administration "reviewed the science, listened to the experts, and acted," claiming that "the data show these vaccines fail to protect effectively against upper respiratory infections like COVID and flu." He indicated that the funds would now support "safer, broader vaccine platforms," which can maintain effectiveness as viruses evolve.
Kennedy further asserted that mRNA vaccines might contribute to the emergence of new viral mutations and could extend pandemics as viruses adapt to evade vaccine-induced immunity. However, health experts argue that mutations are a natural aspect of viral behavior, asserting that viruses mutate regardless of vaccine development. Dr. Paul Offit, director of the Vaccine Education Center at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, clarified that flu viruses mutate every year, regardless of vaccination rates, and highlighted the safety and importance of mRNA vaccines in preventing severe infections.
HHS clarified that the biomedical projects under the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) will be redirected toward more thoroughly vetted platforms with established safety records and transparent clinical practices.
Kennedy has also made sweeping changes in how vaccines are developed and regulated since taking office, including replacing the entire vaccine advisory committee with individuals that share his skeptical views on vaccine safety. In June, he removed the Covid vaccine from the recommended immunization schedule for healthy children and pregnant women, raising further concerns about the implications of his health policy changes.
As discussions continue over the future of vaccine research and public health strategy in the US, experts warn that reducing investment in mRNA technology could place the nation in a precarious position in the face of future viral threats.
