RFK Jr.'s mRNA purge leads to dismissal of MAHA Implementor
In a move that has sparked controversy, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., as Secretary of Health and Human Services, controversially axed 22 mRNA vaccine contracts under the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA). This decision has raised concerns among scientists and public health leaders, potentially undermining an important innovation platform [1][2].
The terminated contracts, collectively worth $500 million according to the HHS announcement, include a contract with Moderna that was terminated in May [3]. However, one of the terminated contracts was awarded to a company not working on an mRNA vaccine.
Kennedy has justified the cancellations by citing a 181-page document he claimed shows mRNA vaccines are ineffective or unsafe. However, independent analysis revealed this “evidence” was a bibliography linked to vaccine critics without immunology or virology expertise. The cited studies largely document harmful effects of the spike protein in infections, not vaccines, misrepresenting scientific consensus that controlled vaccine-induced spike protein expression is safe and effective [2].
Gray Delany, the head of the Department of Health and Human Services' and President Donald Trump's Make America Healthy Again agenda, has been fired, reportedly due to disagreements about how announcements are made at the agency [4]. Delany is proud of his work in defending and justifying Kennedy’s decisions to end HHS funding for mRNA projects. In an X post, Delany expressed that Kennedy displayed "remarkable courage" in terminating the mRNA contracts, but seemed to take issue with how it was rolled out.
In June, Kennedy named an mRNA critic, Robert Malone, to his newly constituted CDC vaccine advisory panel. Malone has testified that mRNA vaccines cause cancer, heart disease, and autoimmune disease, according to former panelist Paul Offit. Bannon, a Trump ally, expressed support for Malone [5]. In a move that further fueled the controversy, Delany acted on his own and booked a spot for a top HHS advisor on the War Room show, hosted by Bannon.
Experts criticize Kennedy’s move, arguing it risks setting back U.S. scientific innovation and global competitiveness in mRNA technology, which also shows promise beyond infectious diseases such as in cancer treatments [1][3][4]. Jerome Adams, a former surgeon general, warned that pulling mRNA funding could stall progress in modern medicine. Kennedy's claims that "the data show these vaccines fail to protect effectively against upper respiratory infections like COVID and flu," though he did not provide evidence to support this, have also been met with skepticism.
The controversy centers on Kennedy’s cancellation of mRNA vaccine contracts, which ignores broad scientific support for mRNA technology and risks undermining an important innovation platform, while relying on misinterpreted or non-expert-sourced “evidence” [1][2]. The debate continues as the scientific community and public health leaders closely watch the developments at HHS.
[1] - The Washington Post [2] - Science Magazine [3] - STAT News [4] - Politico [5] - The Guardian
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