HHS Cancels $500M in mRNA Vaccine Contracts

The US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), led by Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., has canceled 22 mRNA vaccine development contracts worth nearly $500 million under the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA). The decision follows an internal review, which found that while mRNA vaccines are effective at preventing severe COVID-19, they do not sufficiently protect against upper respiratory infections or adapt well to rapidly mutating viruses. HHS will shift funding toward vaccine platforms with stronger safety records and greater transparency, such as whole-virus and novel vaccines. Final-stage mRNA projects may continue, but no new investments will be made in the technology. This marks a significant shift in federal vaccine policy toward broader and more durable pandemic preparedness. Previous studies had shown mRNA vaccines to be effective and safe, but HHS now seeks platforms that better meet current scientific and ethical standards.