US Health Secretary RFK Jr. Cancels $500M mRNA Vaccine Projects

US Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has canceled $500 million in federal contracts for mRNA vaccine research, including projects targeting COVID-19, H5N1 bird flu, and seasonal flu, shutting down 22 vaccine development initiatives. Kennedy justified the move by stating the department is shifting funding toward what he calls safer, broader vaccine platforms that remain effective as viruses mutate, despite scientific consensus that mRNA vaccines are safe, effective, and have saved millions of lives. Experts and infectious disease specialists have criticized the decision, warning it could jeopardize pandemic preparedness and set back advances not only in infectious disease vaccines but also in areas like cancer research. Kennedy, known for his vaccine skepticism and history of spreading misinformation, claims mRNA vaccines do not effectively protect against upper respiratory infections and suggests alternative vaccine strategies mimicking natural immunity. This policy shift has sparked strong backlash from the scientific community, describing the move as dangerous and anti-science, especially amid ongoing outbreaks of preventable diseases like measles. Pharma companies such as Moderna and Pfizer are also affected by the funding cuts, raising concerns about the future of mRNA technology development.