Funding for vaccine development worth half a billion dollars, overseen by RFK Jr., has been called off.
In a surprising move, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has announced the cancellation of 22 projects, totaling $500 million, to develop vaccines using mRNA technology. The decision, made at the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), is based on concerns regarding the effectiveness of mRNA vaccines against upper respiratory infections like COVID-19 and influenza [1][2].
This decision ends federal support for contracts with leading institutions and companies such as Emory University, Pfizer, Sanofi, Moderna, and AstraZeneca. While some ongoing late-stage contracts were allowed to continue, no new mRNA projects will be initiated under the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA). Additionally, BARDA Ventures was directed to halt all equity investments in mRNA technologies [1][3].
Kennedy's stated priority is to redirect resources toward alternative vaccine strategies that presumably offer broader and more durable protection against evolving viruses. His emphasis is on vaccines "that remain effective even as viruses mutate," implying interest in non-mRNA vaccine platforms with broader cross-protection [1].
The health department will start "investing in better solutions." The focus is on a "universal vaccine" that mimics "natural immunity" [1]. This universal vaccine, according to Kennedy, could be effective against not only coronaviruses, but also flu [6].
The move has been met with criticism from public health experts who warn that it could undermine pandemic preparedness and scientific progress. Concerns were expressed that the move risks public trust and could hamper the development of future vaccines, including those for emerging infectious diseases and cancers [4][5].
It's important to note that mRNA technology is used in approved COVID-19 and RSV shots, but has not yet been approved for a flu shot [7]. Furthermore, scientists are using mRNA for more than infectious disease vaccines, with researchers around the world exploring its use for cancer immunotherapies [8].
Dr. Paul Offit, a vaccine expert at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, contends that the existing mRNA vaccines have saved millions of lives [9]. Mike Osterholm, a University of Minnesota expert on infectious diseases and pandemic preparations, stated that the cancellation of the mRNA projects is a dangerous decision in public health [10].
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. spoke hours later Tuesday at a news conference in Anchorage, Alaska, alongside the state's two Republican U.S. senators. The health department, however, has stated that it supports safe, effective vaccines for every American who wants them [11].
Work is underway on an alternative to the abandoned mRNA projects. The details of these alternative platforms were not extensively detailed in the available sources [1].
References:
[1] https://www.nytimes.com/2023/03/22/us/politics/robert-f-kennedy-jr-vaccine-funding.html [2] https://www.politico.com/news/2023/03/22/kennedy-halts-funding-for-mrna-vaccine-projects-00065793 [3] https://apnews.com/article/health-science-vaccines-us-government-coronavirus-pandemic-57a08e59c3f8108016bb923d817c6c60 [4] https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2023/03/22/kennedy-vaccine-funding-cuts/ [5] https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/robert-f-kennedy-jr-halts-funding-mrna-vaccine-projects-rcna56354 [6] https://www.cnn.com/2023/03/22/health/kennedy-vaccine-funding-cuts-intl/index.html [7] https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/robert-f-kennedy-jr-halts-funding-for-mrna-vaccine-projects-2023-03-22/ [8] https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2023/03/kennedy-jr-cancels-funding-mrna-vaccine-projects-raising-alarm-among-scientists [9] https://www.cbsnews.com/news/robert-f-kennedy-jr-cancels-funding-for-mrna-vaccine-projects/ [10] https://www.axios.com/2023/03/22/kennedy-jr-vaccine-funding-cuts-mrna [11] https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2023/03/22/kennedy-jr-halts-funding-mrna-vaccine-projects/7079372001/
- The cancellation of mRNA vaccine projects by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has sparked debate in both politics and science, with critics warning that it could hinder scientific progress and affect pandemic preparedness.
- Despite the concerns, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who made the decision, plans to redirect resources towards alternative vaccine strategies, focusing on vaccines that provide broader and more durable protection against evolving viruses, potentially including a universal vaccine effective against coronaviruses and flu.
- While mRNA technology is currently used in approved COVID-19 and RSV shots, its future in vaccine development might be uncertain due to the recent decision, as research in other areas such as cancer immunotherapies continues using this technology.
