HHS Revokes Moderna Funding Despite Positive H5 Avian Flu Trial

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has canceled over $750 million in funding to Moderna for the late-stage development of its mRNA-based H5 avian flu vaccine, citing that mRNA technology is still too experimental, marking a policy shift from previous administrations. Despite this setback, Moderna reported promising interim results from its Phase 1/2 clinical trial involving around 300 healthy adults, showing a rapid, potent, and durable immune response with protective antibody levels achieved in 97.8% of participants after the second dose. The vaccine was generally well-tolerated with mostly mild adverse effects, and Moderna remains committed to exploring alternative pathways for advancing the vaccine’s development and production. Moderna’s CEO Stéphane Bancel highlighted the critical role of mRNA technology in pandemic preparedness and expressed optimism despite the funding termination. The vaccine data is expected to be presented at an upcoming scientific meeting, underscoring the ongoing potential of mRNA platforms beyond COVID-19. This decision reflects the current administration’s skepticism towards mRNA vaccines despite extensive prior research and widespread use during the COVID-19 pandemic.