Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is under fire from public health experts after announcing the cancellation of \$500 million in federal funding for mRNA vaccine research. The decision halts development of new vaccines based on the same technology used in Covid-19 shots, which a 2022 National Institutes of Health study estimated prevented 14.4 million deaths in their first year alone.
Kennedy said the move reflects a shift toward “safer, broader vaccine strategies,” including whole-virus vaccines and other platforms less affected by viral mutations. However, medical professionals warn that abandoning mRNA research could undermine America’s ability to respond to future pandemics and reduce its leadership in global biotech innovation.
Several experts described the decision as dangerous and shortsighted, noting that mRNA technology enables rapid vaccine production during outbreaks and offers versatility for combating a range of diseases. Epidemiologists and infectious disease specialists argue that cutting funding will slow research progress, potentially leaving the U.S. more vulnerable to emerging health threats.
Critics also pointed to what they see as a broader pattern of anti-vaccine policymaking under Kennedy’s leadership, including changes to vaccine recommendations and federal advisory committees. Some warned that his approach risks isolating the U.S. from international scientific advancements and eroding decades of progress in vaccine development.
The cancellation has raised questions about future U.S. pandemic preparedness and whether private or international research efforts will fill the gap.
Source: truthout