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Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has announced that the government will cancel $500 million worth of vaccine development projects. These projects were based on mRNA technology, the same kind used in COVID-19 vaccines by Pfizer and Moderna. Kennedy said this decision came after a full review of the science and discussions with top health experts.
Kennedy explained that the Department of Health and Human Services believes mRNA vaccines bring more risks than benefits, especially for diseases like COVID-19 and the flu. He shared the news in a video on the social media platform X. Kennedy has long been critical of vaccines, so this move was not a surprise to many.
The cancellation affects 22 different projects. Major pharmaceutical companies like Pfizer, Sanofi, and CSL Seqirus will lose funding. Some universities, including Emory and Tiba Biotech, will also have their projects stopped. Only a few projects in their final stages will be allowed to finish.
Many health experts are worried about this decision. Rick Bright, a former government vaccine expert, said it’s a big mistake. He believes cutting mRNA research makes the country less prepared for future pandemics. He also said the decision could harm national security.
The government also said that BARDA, the agency that supports vaccine research, will stop funding any new mRNA projects. Instead, they will invest in other vaccine types, such as whole-virus vaccines or newer methods. Some mRNA work in other areas of medicine may still continue.
This is a major change in how the U.S. handles vaccine research. Many people are now wondering what this means for the future of pandemic response and public health.