Distributes withdrawal of $500 million in finance designated for vaccine research, RFK Jr. announces
In a surprising turn of events, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has decided to cancel approximately $500 million in BARDA-funded mRNA vaccine contracts, including those for COVID-19 and influenza vaccines. This strategic shift away from mRNA vaccine platforms towards vaccine technologies considered more resilient against viral mutation has raised concerns among infectious disease experts and tech entrepreneurs alike.
The reasoning behind this decision includes concerns about the adaptability of mRNA vaccines to rapidly mutating respiratory viruses, heightened regulatory oversight, and a broader federal funding pivot. With vaccine trials now required to demonstrate clear clinical benefits, the mRNA platform is less favored under current standards.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a vocal critic of mRNA vaccines, announced the cancellation of 22 projects using mRNA technology to develop vaccines. Kennedy, who has pulled back recommendations around COVID-19 shots and fired the panel that makes vaccine recommendations, has instead expressed a focus on developing a "universal vaccine" that mimics "natural immunity," with a focus on effectiveness against coronaviruses and the flu.
However, not everyone shares Kennedy's sentiment. Infectious disease experts argue that the mRNA technology used in vaccines is safe and credited its development during the first Trump administration with slowing the 2020 coronavirus pandemic. Dr. Paul Offit, a vaccine expert at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, expressed concern about the shelving of mRNA projects, particularly as concerns about a bird flu pandemic continue to loom. Mike Osterholm, a University of Minnesota expert on infectious diseases and pandemic preparations, called the cancellation of mRNA projects a dangerous decision in public health.
Despite the controversy, it's important to note that the mRNA technology is used in approved COVID-19 and RSV shots, but has not yet been approved for a flu shot. The abandoned mRNA projects signal a shift in vaccine development priorities, and the health department plans to start investing in better solutions.
Meanwhile, the future of mRNA technology in vaccine development remains uncertain. Larry Ellison, a billionaire tech entrepreneur, praised mRNA for its potential to treat cancer at the White House earlier this year. Moderna was studying a combination COVID-19 and flu mRNA shot, but the project has been abandoned.
Amidst the ongoing debate, it's clear that the decision to cancel mRNA vaccine contracts is a significant one, with far-reaching implications for public health and vaccine development. As the situation evolves, it will be interesting to see how this shift in strategy unfolds and what impact it will have on our ability to combat future pandemics.
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- The strategic shift away from mRNA vaccine platforms in federal funding includes a focus on investing in technologies that are more resilient against viral mutation, while health-and-wellness enthusiasts continue to express interest in leveraging mRNA technology for fitness-and-exercise applications.
- The ongoing debate regarding the canceled mRNA vaccine contracts also extends to the realm of science, with some arguing for the potential of mRNA technology in treating conditions like cancer, as billionaire tech entrepreneur Larry Ellison recently did at the White House.
