RFK Jr. Cuts $500 Million in Vaccine Development Funding, Raising Health Concerns
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) will be canceling contracts and pulling funding from 22 mRNA vaccine projects, totaling $500 million, to combat respiratory viruses. This decision, led by the health secretary, is based on the belief that safer and broader vaccine strategies, such as whole-virus vaccines, are better. Infectious disease experts have criticized the decision, citing the safety and efficacy of mRNA technology, which was critical in slowing the 2020 coronavirus pandemic, and its potential for future pandemic response. HHS maintains that this signals a shift in priorities and will focus on developing a “universal vaccine” that mimics “natural immunity.”
John Q. Hosedrinker