On August 5, US Secretary of Health Robert Kennedy Jr. announced the cessation of government funding for mRNA vaccine development programs. This significant policy shift involves revoking grants and contracts totaling approximately $500 million, which were previously awarded by the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) for 22 distinct projects.
«We have reviewed the scientific data, consulted experts, and taken decisive action,» stated Secretary Kennedy Jr. «BARDA is discontinuing the funding for 22 mRNA vaccine developments because these vaccines do not offer effective protection against prevalent upper respiratory infections, including COVID and influenza.»
Prominent examples of mRNA vaccines include the COVID-19 vaccines from Moderna and Pfizer/BioNTech. It was during the peak of the pandemic that the U.S. significantly increased its financial allocations for the advancement of these vaccine technologies. However, Robert Kennedy Jr. is widely recognized for his skeptical stance on vaccines in general. This includes recent actions such as the U.S. authorities revoking a $590 million contract with Moderna in May for the development of a bird flu vaccine. Furthermore, in June, the head of the U.S. Health Department dismissed all members of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
During the initial phases of the COVID-19 pandemic, when Mr. Trump was serving his first term as president, the U.S. largely opted against implementing widespread vaccination campaigns and stringent lockdown measures. Consequently, the nation recorded one of the highest numbers of coronavirus cases globally.
Upon the very first day of his return to office for a second term, President Trump signed an executive order initiating the U.S. withdrawal from the World Health Organization (WHO). Adding to this trend, in July, Robert Kennedy Jr. declared that the U.S. would no longer adhere to international norms established for the control and prevention of pandemics.
