Prime Highlights :
Trump administration cancels $600 million Moderna contract for mRNA bird flu vaccine amid safety skepticism.
Experts in public health are warning the move could compromise U.S. pandemic preparedness as the H5N1 bird flu spreads in animals and humans.
Key Facts :
Moderna was working to develop an mRNA vaccine for the H5N1 bird flu under a Biden-era program.
The Trump administration canceled the deal, citing safety and need concerns related to mRNA vaccines.
Key Background :
The U.S. government has terminated a large $600 million contract with Moderna that was meant to speed up the development of an mRNA-based vaccine against the H5N1 bird flu virus. The deal, made during the Biden administration, was geared towards financing late-stage clinical trials of Moderna’s experimental vaccine, after a smaller grant of $176 million given in 2024. The move represents a dramatic change in public health policy under the current Trump administration.
Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and his staff have questioned the safety and long-term impact of mRNA technology, although it was popularly used during the COVID-19 period. Lacking sufficient data and citing concerns regarding the speedy approval process, HHS officials found the funding to be riskier than beneficial. They maintained that traditional vaccines could be employed instead in case an outbreak went out of control.
The cancellation is a significant setback for Moderna, which has been under financial pressure since the demand for COVID-19 vaccines eased. The firm has been heavily investing in taking its mRNA platform to new places, such as flu, RSV, and other infectious diseases. Loss of federal funding for its avian flu program not only jeopardizes its research path but also undermines its financial standing as it waits for regulatory clearances on other vaccines.
Public health officials say the decision could make the U.S. vulnerable to an impending bird flu pandemic. H5N1 has spread through birds and cows in multiple states and infected several humans, including recent deaths. Experts are concerned that pulling funding for mRNA innovation could restrict the nation from quickly responding if the virus mutates to enable sustained human transmission. The sudden policy shift will also send disheartening messages to biotech companies depending on federal collaborations to get ready for emerging health dangers.
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