The agency claimed in a statement yesterday that the decision was made after carrying out a “comprehensive review of mRNA-related investments made during the COVID-19 pandemic.”

HHS announced this as the beginning of a coordinated wind-down of its mRNA vaccine development activities under the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), including the cancellation and de-scoping of various contracts and solicitations.

Terminating 22 mRNA vaccine development investments

“We reviewed the science, listened to the experts, and acted,” stated HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. “BARDA is terminating 22 mRNA vaccine development investments because the data show these vaccines fail to protect effectively against upper respiratory infections like COVID and flu. We’re shifting that funding toward safer, broader vaccine platforms that remain effective even as viruses mutate.”

“We’re crippling our front-line defense, just ahead of unknown biological threats”

In a post on X, former BARDA Director Rick Bright wrote: “BARDA invested in mRNA technology precisely because it could deliver safe, scalable vaccines in record time, a capability proven during COVID. By dismantling that platform, we’re crippling our front-line defense, just ahead of unknown biological threats.”

Related article

A path out of the pandemic

In record time people around the world had access to an effective vaccine against the new deadly and dangerous coronavirus. The basic research discoveries made by Katalin Karikó and Drew Weissman paved the way for this historic achievement and have also led to a novel therapeutic technology – with great potential for many different diseases.


No new mRNA-based projects will be initiated

While some final-stage contracts (e.g., Arcturus and Amplitude) will be allowed to run their course to preserve prior taxpayer investment, no new mRNA-based projects will be initiated, stated HHS. HHS has also instructed the Global Health Investment Corporation (GHIC), which manages BARDA Ventures, to cease all mRNA-based equity investments. Other uses of mRNA technology within the department are not impacted by this announcement, they state.

The HHS is also rejecting “multiple pre-award solicitations” from Pfizer, Sanofi Pasteur and others under BARDA’s Rapid Response Partnership Vehicle.

The move includes BARDA’s award to Moderna and the University of Texas Medical Branch to develop an mRNA vaccine for the H5N1 bird flu virus. The HHS is also rejecting “multiple pre-award solicitations” from Pfizer, Sanofi Pasteur and others under BARDA’s Rapid Response Partnership Vehicle, which was set up to rapidly develop treatments against pandemic influenza and other emerging infectious diseases.