Published Time: August 6, 2025, 14:30 (U.S. Eastern Time)

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) will end funding for more than 20 vaccine projects aimed at combating respiratory viruses, marking a major policy shift under Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. The decision, announced Tuesday, halts $500 million in mRNA vaccine research and development, sparking widespread criticism from infectious disease experts who warn it could hinder future pandemic preparedness.

Funding Cuts Affect 22 mRNA Vaccine Projects

In a statement, Kennedy confirmed that 22 ongoing projects, including those led by major pharmaceutical companies such as Pfizer and Moderna, will be terminated. These programs focused on developing vaccines for illnesses like COVID-19, seasonal flu, and emerging threats such as H5N1 avian influenza.

Kennedy, a long-standing critic of vaccines, said the department will instead prioritize “safer, broader vaccine strategies,” including whole-virus vaccines and new platforms less susceptible to viral mutations.

“To replace the troubled mRNA programs, we’re prioritizing the development of safer, broader vaccine strategies, like whole-virus vaccines and novel platforms that don’t collapse when viruses mutate,” Kennedy stated in a video posted on his social media channels.

Experts Warn of Public Health Risks

Public health specialists have voiced strong opposition, arguing that mRNA technology has been instrumental in saving lives during the COVID-19 pandemic and could be critical in addressing future outbreaks.

Mike Osterholm, an infectious disease expert at the University of Minnesota, called the decision “the most dangerous in public health in my 50 years in the business,” warning that the removal of mRNA tools will make it harder to respond rapidly to emerging diseases.

Dr. Paul Offit of the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia emphasized that mRNA vaccines “have certainly saved millions of lives” and cautioned against abandoning a proven and adaptable platform.

The Role of mRNA Technology in Modern Medicine

mRNA vaccines work by delivering a genetic blueprint that instructs the body to produce a harmless piece of a virus, prompting an immune response. Unlike traditional vaccine production, which often requires cultivating viruses in eggs or cell cultures, mRNA vaccines can be developed and manufactured much faster — a key advantage during fast-moving outbreaks.

Beyond infectious diseases, researchers are exploring mRNA for cancer immunotherapy and other medical applications. Billionaire tech entrepreneur Larry Ellison recently praised its potential in oncology treatments during a White House event.

Shift in Vaccine Development Priorities

HHS clarified that the decision impacts only vaccine projects for respiratory viruses and does not affect other mRNA research underway within the department. Moderna, for instance, had been developing a combined COVID-19 and flu mRNA shot, which it said could speed production compared to traditional vaccines.

In its statement, HHS described the move as a “shift in vaccine development priorities” and pledged to invest in “better solutions” moving forward. Kennedy reiterated that the department still supports “safe, effective vaccines for every American who wants them.”

Alternative Vaccine Strategies Under Development

Speaking at a news conference in Anchorage, Alaska, alongside Republican Senators Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan, Kennedy announced that the administration is pursuing a “universal vaccine” designed to mimic natural immunity.

“It could be effective — we believe it’s going to be effective — against not only coronaviruses, but also flu,” Kennedy said.

According to Kennedy, this universal approach could offer broad-spectrum protection against multiple respiratory viruses, though no such vaccine has yet been approved for public use.

Potential Impact on Pandemic Preparedness

Infectious disease experts warn that eliminating mRNA research could weaken the U.S.’s ability to respond quickly to future pandemics, especially as concerns over bird flu outbreaks continue. The speed and adaptability of mRNA platforms, they argue, have been unmatched in modern vaccine development.

With funding for 22 projects now halted, pharmaceutical companies and research institutions face uncertainty about the future of their programs. Meanwhile, HHS says it remains committed to advancing alternative technologies that align with the administration’s new priorities.

Source: AP News –

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Trump’s First Day Plans Include Pardons for Capitol Rioters and Immigration Overhaul
President-elect Donald Trump has vowed to take swift action on his first day in office, promising pardons for those involved in the 2021 U.S. Capitol riot and proposing a major overhaul of the country’s birthright citizenship policy. In an interview with NBC’s Meet the Press, Trump expressed support for pardoning individuals convicted for their roles in the Capitol attack, calling their conditions “hell” and describing their detention as “filthy” and “disgusting.”

“We’re going to look at independent cases, but I’ll be acting very quickly. First day,” he said.

Birthright Citizenship and Immigration Reforms
Trump also reiterated his commitment to ending automatic citizenship for children born in the U.S., a practice rooted in the 14th Amendment of the Constitution. He argued that birthright citizenship needed to be changed and suggested that it may require a vote by the public.

“We’re going to have to get it changed,” Trump said. “Maybe we have to go back to the people. But we have to end it.”

Regarding undocumented immigrants, Trump said he would follow through on his campaign promise to deport those living in the U.S. illegally, even if they have U.S.-born children. “I don’t want to be breaking up families,” he explained. “So the only way you don’t break up the family is to keep them together and send them all back.”

Executive Orders and Policy Plans
Trump indicated that his first day in office would be busy, with several executive orders planned on issues such as immigration, energy, and the economy. However, he avoided committing to a justice department investigation into President Joe Biden, though he did suggest some political adversaries, including lawmakers involved in investigating the Capitol riot, should face imprisonment.

NATO and Foreign Policy
On the international front, Trump hinted that the U.S. could pull back from NATO unless member nations meet their financial obligations and treat the U.S. fairly. He stated, “If they’re paying their bills and treating us fairly, I’d absolutely stay with NATO.”

Trump also indicated that Ukraine could expect less U.S. aid under his administration, saying they should “probably” receive less support.

Healthcare and Social Security
Trump addressed healthcare and social security in the interview, stating that he would not impose restrictions on abortion pills, though he left room for change. He also reiterated that he would not cut Social Security or raise its eligibility age, though he said he would work to make the system “more efficient.”

Tariffs and Economic Policies
Regarding his economic agenda, Trump said that while he would push for tariffs on imports from major U.S. trading partners, he could not guarantee that it wouldn’t lead to higher consumer prices. “I can’t guarantee anything. I can’t guarantee tomorrow,” he said.

Vaccine Controversy and Health Secretary Nominee
On health issues, Trump reignited a long-debunked theory about vaccines and autism. He suggested that his nominee for health secretary, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a vaccine skeptic, would investigate any potential link between childhood vaccines and autism, despite multiple global studies that have dismissed such a connection.

Trump’s First 100 Days
As Trump prepares for his return to the White House on January 20, 2025, his policy plans are set to reshape immigration, healthcare, and foreign policy. His promise to issue a flurry of executive orders reflects his commitment to enacting significant change on his first day in office.

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