US Ends $500M mRNA Vaccine Development Cancelling 22 Contracts

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), under Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., announced the termination of 22 federal contracts for mRNA vaccine development, worth nearly $500 million, citing concerns about their effectiveness against upper respiratory infections like COVID-19 and flu. Kennedy stated that funding would be redirected toward broader vaccine platforms that remain effective as viruses mutate, though some late-stage projects were preserved. This decision has sparked criticism from public health experts and industry leaders, including former U.S. Surgeon General Jerome Adams, who emphasized that mRNA vaccines saved over two million lives and were a key achievement of President Trump's administration. Experts warn that halting mRNA vaccine development could undermine America's preparedness for future biological threats and damage the pharmaceutical sector. Meanwhile, misinformation about mRNA vaccines persists, though scientific consensus confirms they do not alter DNA, cause aggressive cancers, or affect fertility. The controversy highlights a clash between evolving vaccine strategies and ongoing public skepticism about mRNA technology.