HHS Cancels $500 Million in mRNA Vaccine Research Projects

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced the termination of approximately $500 million worth of vaccine development projects utilizing mRNA technology. The 22 canceled projects were funded through the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) and primarily focused on vaccines for COVID-19 and influenza. The terminated initiatives included proposals from pharmaceutical companies such as Pfizer and Sanofi Pasteur, as well as a previously awarded contract to Moderna for bird flu vaccine development.