The Department of Health and Human Services terminated a $766 million contract with Moderna to develop an mRNA bird flu vaccine, citing concerns about the mRNA technology’s safety and lack of transparency. This decision, despite Moderna’s reporting of positive interim results from a Phase 1/2 study, shifts federal funding priorities toward vaccine platforms with established safety profiles. Critics argue this cancellation jeopardizes pandemic preparedness, particularly given the evolving threat of H5N1 avian flu and the limited availability of alternative vaccine production methods. The move has drawn sharp criticism from public health experts who warn of increased risks to the American public.
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The US cancellation of over $700 million in funding for Moderna’s bird flu vaccine is a deeply concerning development. This decision, made under the Trump administration, effectively halts progress on a crucial vaccine, leaving the nation vulnerable to a potential avian influenza pandemic. The timing of the cancellation, just four months after the initial funding allocation, raises serious questions about the decision-making process and its implications for public health. It’s baffling how such a significant investment in pandemic preparedness could be so abruptly reversed.
This cancellation is not merely a financial setback; it represents a failure to prioritize prevention. The argument that “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” rings especially true here, as investing in vaccine development before an outbreak is significantly more cost-effective and less devastating than responding to a widespread pandemic.… Continue reading
Moderna’s decision to withdraw its application for a combined COVID-19 and influenza vaccine is a significant development, raising questions about the future of multi-vaccine approaches to infectious disease prevention. The company had previously reported promising results from a large-scale trial involving over 8,000 participants aged 50 and older. This trial demonstrated that the combination vaccine elicited significantly higher antibody levels against both COVID-19 and multiple influenza strains compared to receiving the individual vaccines separately. The increase in antibody levels was substantial, ranging from 20% to 40% higher, suggesting the potential for enhanced protection.
Despite these positive findings, the application was ultimately pulled.… Continue reading
John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood