U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has sparked controversy by canceling nearly $500 million in funding for mRNA vaccine development, halting 22 critical projects targeting respiratory viruses like COVID-19 and influenza.
Kennedy claims that mRNA technology poses "more risks than benefits," a declaration that has raised alarms among public health experts who worry about the potential consequences for future pandemic preparedness.
Health professionals warn that these funding cuts could undermine public trust in vaccinations and lead to increased health risks and loss of life, marking a drastic shift in U.S. vaccine strategy.
The decision aligns with Kennedy’s long-standing anti-vaccine stance, invoking backlash from both medical communities and political figures who argue it jeopardizes crucial advancements in public health.
The impact of these cuts is already being felt, with significant drops in the stock prices of companies like Moderna, which have been at the forefront of mRNA technology.
Critics fear that this retreat from mRNA investment may leave the nation vulnerable in the face of infectious diseases and diminish the U.S.'s standing in global vaccine research and innovation.