In a shake-up of federal vaccine policy, Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced Tuesday that the Trump administration is cutting $500 million in funding earmarked for developing new mRNA vaccines. The move signals a pivot away from the controversial platform and toward what Kennedy calls “safer, broader vaccine technologies.”
Kennedy explained that the current generation of mRNA vaccines—including those used for COVID and flu—have failed to prevent upper respiratory infections effectively. “We’re shifting that funding toward platforms that work even as viruses mutate,” he said.
The decision affects 22 federal contracts, including a key BARDA award to Moderna targeting H5N1 bird flu. Proposals from Pfizer and Sanofi Pasteur were also turned down. While a few near-completion contracts will be honored to avoid wasting taxpayer dollars, Kennedy confirmed no new mRNA-based projects will be greenlit.
Critics argue the change abandons a crucial tool for biodefense. “This creates a national security gap,” warned Chris Meekins, a former HHS preparedness official. Others, like Stanford’s Dr. Jake Scott, pushed back on the premise, saying no respiratory vaccine offers total infection immunity—and that’s never been the goal.
Still, Kennedy and Trump allies are undeterred, pushing for vaccine platforms that emphasize long-term safety and reliability. This follows Kennedy’s recent proposal to revisit liability protections for vaccine makers and reports that major medical groups are being sidelined from CDC advisory roles.
While some experts decry the move as political, many conservatives see it as a long-overdue course correction. With several red states already casting doubt on mRNA technology, Kennedy’s policy reset could be a defining chapter in how America approaches vaccine development in the post-COVID era.
