The US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced the cancellation of $500 million (£376 million) in funding aimed at mRNA vaccine development targeting various viruses, including influenza and Covid-19. This decision will affect 22 ongoing projects led by major pharmaceutical firms, notably Pfizer and Moderna. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., known for his skepticism towards vaccines, justified the funding withdrawal by asserting that "mRNA technology poses more risks than benefits for these respiratory viruses."
Kennedy's statement has garnered criticism from medical professionals who have expressed concern over his persistent doubts about vaccine safety and efficacy. Peter Lurie, a former official at the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), emphasized that prior mRNA vaccine developments were instrumental in controlling the Covid-19 pandemic and ultimately saving millions of lives. He described the recent funding shift as a retreat from a vital resource needed to mitigate future pandemics.
In his explanations, Kennedy stated that his review of scientific data led to the conclusion that these vaccines do not effectively protect against upper respiratory infections such as Covid-19 and the flu. He indicated that the funds would be redirected towards vaccine platforms considered safer and more effective in the face of viral mutations. Furthermore, he claimed that mRNA vaccines could inadvertently contribute to the emergence of new mutations, extending the duration of pandemics as viruses adapt to escape vaccine-induced immunity.
Critics like Dr. Paul Offit, director of the Vaccine Education Center at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, highlighted that viruses will mutate with or without vaccines. He pointed to the annual mutations of the flu virus, alongside the stability of the measles virus, despite widespread vaccination using mRNA technology. Offit substantiated the safety and efficacy of mRNA vaccines, arguing that the cancellation of this funding could jeopardize US preparedness for any forthcoming health crises, as these vaccines benefit from rapid development timelines.
HHS reiterated its plan to prioritize safer vaccine development methods with well-documented clinical practices. Unlike traditional vaccines, which often use inactivated viruses to stimulate immune responses, mRNA vaccines employ a method that instructs cells to create the proteins necessary to induce immunity. Early trials for the Pfizer and Moderna mRNA vaccines involved extensive testing with positive safety and effectiveness results.
Since taking office, Kennedy has pursued significant changes in the FDA's approach to vaccine development and policy. Recently, he terminated all 17 members of a key immunization advisory committee, appointing individuals who share skepticism toward established vaccine safety and efficacy. Additionally, he removed the Covid vaccine from the CDC's recommended vaccination schedule for healthy children and pregnant women, further reshaping the landscape of public health recommendations in America.
