RFK Jr cancels $500m in funding for mRNA vaccines for diseases like Covid

August 6, 2025

The US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is canceling $500 million in funding for mRNA vaccine development against diseases like flu and COVID-19, affecting 22 projects led by companies including Pfizer and Moderna. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

Who is affected

22 pharmaceutical projects developing mRNA vaccines (including those led by Pfizer and Moderna)
Potential future patients who would benefit from mRNA vaccines against respiratory viruses
Public health infrastructure preparing for future pandemics
The US population's pandemic readiness

What action is being taken

HHS is canceling $500 million in funding for mRNA vaccine development
The department is redirecting funds toward alternative vaccine platforms
Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) is shifting focus to "platforms with stronger safety records and transparent clinical and manufacturing data practices"
Kennedy is transforming how the nation's health department develops and regulates vaccines

Why it matters

Health experts consider mRNA vaccines crucial for pandemic response due to their shorter development cycle
Experts like Dr. Paul Offit warn this could put the US in a "more dangerous" position to respond to future pandemics
The decision contradicts scientific consensus on mRNA vaccine safety and effectiveness
It represents a significant shift in US public health policy regarding vaccine development
The funding cancelation affects preparations against potential threats like bird flu and other respiratory viruses

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: BBC