On 5/8, US Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced the termination of 22 contracts totaling $500 million with pharmaceutical companies like Pfizer and Moderna. The contracts were for the development of mRNA vaccines against seasonal flu, Covid-19, and H5N1.

Kennedy Jr. stated that mRNA vaccines "are not sufficiently capable of combating respiratory viruses, can be neutralized by a single mutation," and "pose more risks than benefits." The US government will shift its investment to traditional platforms like inactivated or whole virus vaccines to ensure "greater safety and broader coverage."

The impact of the funding cuts on ongoing mRNA vaccine projects is significant. Recent reports from Moderna and Pfizer reveal that these projects extend beyond Covid-19 to include influenza, RSV, cancer, and emerging viruses.

Moderna is developing several flu vaccine candidates (mRNA-1010, mRNA-1020, mRNA-1030) and a combined flu-Covid vaccine (mRNA-1083). The mRNA-1083 vaccine has shown positive results in phase III trials and is expected to undergo a comprehensive FDA review in 2026. Another notable flu vaccine candidate, mRNA-1018, despite demonstrating good safety signals in early stages, has had its funding cut under the new HHS decision.

Moderna is also developing mRNA-1345 for RSV and mRNA-1403 for norovirus. Some of these have entered phase III trials, although they were temporarily suspended due to suspected side effects but resumed after safety assessments.

Beyond infectious diseases, personalized mRNA vaccines for cancer treatment are also being advanced. The mRNA-4157/V940 project, a collaboration between Moderna and Merck, has received breakthrough designation for treating melanoma and is expanding trials to other cancers like lung and head and neck cancers. This technology utilizes genetic data from each patient's tumor to create customized vaccines, stimulating a specific immune response.

Pfizer is also pursuing this direction, particularly in colorectal and lung cancer. The BNT122 project is undergoing phase I and II clinical trials, combined with existing immunotherapy drugs to enhance efficacy. BioNTech stated that it is building a flexible manufacturing system to deploy personalized mRNA vaccines within weeks of a patient's biopsy.

Additionally, Pfizer is pursuing mRNA vaccine projects for shingles, influenza, and RSV. Some projects have completed phase II trials and are preparing to expand to phase III, demonstrating the potential of the mRNA platform beyond pandemic diseases. Many other mRNA projects target emerging viruses or long-term goals like Zika, HIV, Epstein-Barr virus, Cytomegalovirus, Nipah virus, and mpox.

The US government's decision to end funding for mRNA vaccines has drawn mixed reactions from the scientific and public health community. Some experts, like former BARDA director Rick Bright, worry that this could weaken the ability to respond quickly to future pandemics. He believes mRNA is a promising technology and that abandoning it prematurely could put the US behind.

Professor Andrew Pollard, Director of the Oxford Vaccine Group, emphasized that mRNA is the only platform that can shorten vaccine production time to about 6 weeks, compared to 6 months with traditional methods. Professor Robin Shattock at Imperial College London also dismissed the view that mRNA increases viral mutations, asserting there's no scientific evidence.

However, some experts believe that pausing funding is necessary to reassess the suitability of mRNA technology in treating respiratory infections. Kennedy Jr. said the decision was made after consulting with the NIH and FDA, emphasizing that the government will prioritize vaccine platforms with a long history of use.

Some organizations, like the Children's Health Defense (CHD), support this decision. They argue that mRNA technology lacks sufficient long-term data and needs closer monitoring. According to CHD, returning to traditional vaccine platforms may be more appropriate, especially when new vaccines need to ensure both effectiveness and public trust.

Illustration of a cancer vaccine. Photo: IStock

The US federal funding cut for mRNA vaccines has been met with mixed reactions from the global health community. Some believe that the US halting support could impact the research and deployment of advanced vaccine technologies.

Jennifer Nuzzo, Director of the Pandemic Center at Brown University, believes that the US withdrawal may affect the progress of mRNA technology development. She notes that this platform is currently highly regarded for enhancing the capacity to respond to emergencies. The absence of a large market like the US will cause pharmaceutical companies to reconsider their long-term investment strategies. Dr. David Elliman at UCL also warns that in a context of wavering vaccine confidence, inconsistent messages could negatively affect vaccination rates, especially in children.

Others view the US decision as a reflection of a cautious policy prioritizing traditional vaccine platforms with proven safety data. According to many policymakers, diversifying vaccine platforms, including traditional technologies like inactivated viruses, can enhance trust and facilitate deployment in low-income countries.

Meanwhile, other countries continue to invest in mRNA as part of their health innovation strategy. In the UK, Kate Bingham, former head of the UK’s Vaccine Taskforce, said the country has invested £26.4 million in a new RNA center. This center will develop heat-stable vaccines, overcoming cold chain limitations, helping countries with limited resources access new technologies more effectively.

Thuc Linh (Guardian, AP News, Moderna Investors, NYMag)