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HHS Cancels $500M in mRNA Vaccine Development Contracts

HHS Cancels $500M in mRNA Vaccine Development Contracts

Above: U.S. President Donald Trump (R) and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. at the White House on July 30, 2025. Image copyright: Jim Watson/AFP/Getty Images

The Spin

This decision is a necessary course correction based on scientific evidence. The data clearly show mRNA vaccines don't provide adequate protection against respiratory infections, and they become ineffective when viruses mutate. It's time to invest in proven, safer vaccine platforms that offer broader protection.

Canceling these contracts undermines pandemic preparedness and abandons one of America's most promising medical tools. mRNA technology saved millions of lives during COVID-19 and offers rapid vaccine development crucial for future pandemics. This move weakens our defense against biological threats.

Metaculus Prediction

There's a 40% chance that the FDA will approve a seasonal influenza vaccine for the 2025-2026 flu season before Oct. 1, 2025, according to the Metaculus prediction community.


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