HHS Secretary RFK Jr. Halts $500M mRNA Vaccine Funding Amid National Criticism

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has terminated 22 government-backed mRNA vaccine development projects, cutting nearly $500 million in funding for research targeting respiratory viruses like COVID-19 and influenza. The move has drawn sharp criticism from former Surgeon General Jerome Adams and other health experts, who warn that ending mRNA research not only jeopardizes pandemic preparedness but also hampers progress on treatments for cancer, tick-borne illnesses, and other diseases. Kennedy also removed prominent medical organizations from vaccine advisory roles, signaling a broader dismantling of the nation’s public health infrastructure. Critics argue that Kennedy’s actions are ideologically driven and ignore decades of scientific advancement and the millions of lives saved by mRNA technology. Kennedy has defended his decision by asserting that mRNA vaccines do not perform well against respiratory viruses and claiming a need for 'safer, broader vaccine strategies.' Many public health leaders caution that this policy shift puts vulnerable populations at risk and undermines America’s leadership in biomedical innovation.