US Health Secretary Robert Kennedy Jr., a known vaccine skeptic, has announced a halt to funding for mRNA research over claims that “mRNA poses more risks than benefits against respiratory viruses,” the BBC reports. The announcement closes the door to investment in research into the revolutionary technology that has seen widespread use during the COVID-19 pandemic.
In total, the affected projects are worth almost $500 million. The minister’s announcement cancels 22 government grants for vaccine research. According to him, mRNA vaccines cannot effectively protect against upper respiratory infections such as COVID-19 and influenza. “We are shifting this funding to safer, broader vaccination platforms that remain effective even as viruses mutate,” Kennedy said.
Pfizer, Moderna and other pharmaceutical companies have lost funding. Experts and researchers in the field of mRNA technology believe that the lack of financial support will leave the United States in a very vulnerable position in the event of a potential future pandemic.
Let us recall that the application of the technology goes far beyond respiratory viruses. Currently, mRNA vaccines are actively and successfully tested for the treatment of cancer, HIV, muscular dystrophy and many other diseases.
