The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) today announced the beginning of a coordinated wind-down of its mRNA vaccine development activities under the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), including the cancellation and de-scoping of various contracts and solicitations. The decision follows a comprehensive review of mRNA-related investments initiated during the COVID-19 public health emergency.
“We reviewed the science, listened to the experts, and acted,” said HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. “BARDA is terminating 22 mRNA vaccine development investments because the data show these vaccines fail to protect effectively against upper respiratory infections like COVID and flu. We’re shifting that funding toward safer, broader vaccine platforms that remain effective even as viruses mutate.”
protist@mander.xyz 3 weeks ago
This is devastating and, of course, not at all based in science. mRNA vaccines have the potential to give us vaccines for diseases that had previously been impossible with existing vaccine development methods. The Trump Administration and RFK Jr are deciding that the United States is going to rely on importing foreign-made vaccines in the future when we no longer have the knowledge to make the best vaccines in the world.
floofloof@lemmy.ca 3 weeks ago
Even just recently we’ve heard about amazing results from mRNA vaccines for HIV and some kinds of cancer. Meanwhile bird flu continues to threaten a pandemic that could be much worse than the last one. So the fascists try to stop it. They hate that science can be authoritative in ways they can never be.