Poli Alert Politics & Civics
Related Articles
The Trump administration on Tuesday eliminated 22 federally funded mRNA vaccine development projects for COVID-19 and bird flu, signaling a dramatic retreat from the technology that played a central role in ending the coronavirus pandemic.
The decision, made by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), affects research being conducted at the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), a key agency in pandemic preparedness.
HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a longtime critic of mRNA technology, defended the move, saying the administration was prioritizing “safer” and more adaptable vaccine platforms.
“We reviewed the science, listened to the experts, and acted,” Kennedy said in a statement. “We’re shifting that funding toward safer, broader vaccine platforms that remain effective even as viruses mutate.”
Scientific Dispute
Kennedy claimed mRNA vaccines “fail to protect effectively against upper respiratory infections like COVID and flu.” However, his statement runs counter to overwhelming scientific evidence. Multiple studies have shown that the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna mRNA vaccines were over 90% effective at preventing severe illness and death during the height of the pandemic.
MRNA vaccines work by introducing messenger RNA that instructs human cells to produce a harmless piece of a virus — typically a spike protein — which then triggers an immune response. This method differs from traditional vaccines, which often rely on weakened or inactivated forms of the virus.
Broad Cancellation of Projects
The move will halt or scale back work at several prominent institutions. It includes:
-
Cancellation of an award to Moderna and the University of Texas Medical Branch for an mRNA-based H5N1 bird flu vaccine.
-
Termination of contracts with Emory University and Tiba Biotech.
-
Reduction in scope of existing mRNA-related contracts with Luminary Labs, ModeX, and Seqirus.
-
Rejection or cancellation of pending applications from Pfizer, Sanofi Pasteur, CSL Seqirus, Gritstone Bio, and others under BARDA’s Vaccine Innovations and Therapeutics Acceleration Launchpad.
The administration also plans to restructure vaccine partnerships with the Defense Department’s Joint Program Executive Office for Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Defense — which will affect mRNA-related research at AstraZeneca, HDT Bio, and the Access to Advanced Health Institute.
Shifting Federal Priorities
The cuts are part of a broader pivot away from Biden-era pandemic preparedness initiatives. HHS confirmed that trials once funded under Project NextGen — which aimed to advance next-generation COVID-19 vaccines — are being quietly phased out.
In April, BARDA issued a stop-work order to GeoVax, halting its trial of an advanced COVID vaccine candidate.
The Biden administration had framed Project NextGen as an effort to bring more durable and broadly protective vaccines to market. Public health experts say shutting down these programs could hinder the U.S.’s ability to respond to future outbreaks.
From Warp Speed to Wind-Down
The announcement marks a reversal from Trump’s first term, when his administration championed the rapid development of mRNA vaccines through Operation Warp Speed. The initiative has been widely credited with delivering effective vaccines in record time, saving millions of lives.
Trump has frequently touted the program as one of his signature achievements. However, the latest move suggests a new direction under his second administration — one more aligned with skepticism toward mRNA technology, even as researchers around the world continue to expand its applications for cancer, genetic diseases, and other conditions.
