US halts Sh64 billion in funding for mRNA vaccine projects
The move signals a broader shift in US federal vaccine development priorities.
The United States is halting hundreds of millions of dollars in funding for the development of mRNA-based vaccines as part of a major policy shift in federal public health strategy, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced Tuesday.
HHS Secretary Robert Kennedy Jr said in a statement that the agency had terminated 22 mRNA vaccine development investments because the data show these vaccines "fail to protect effectively against upper respiratory infections like Covid and flu."
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The affected projects totalled nearly 500 million US dollars (Sh64 billion), he said.
"We're shifting that funding toward safer, broader vaccine platforms that remain effective even as viruses mutate," he said.
The move signals a broader shift in US federal vaccine development priorities.
According to HHS, future efforts will prioritise technologies with stronger safety records and greater transparency in clinical and manufacturing data.
The decision has sparked strong criticism from public health experts and researchers, who warned that retreating from mRNA technology may undermine the country's ability to respond swiftly to future pandemics.
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