Kennedy mRNA funding cut raises national security concerns

The decision to halt mRNA vaccine development raises concerns about national security and future pandemic readiness.

Kennedy mRNA funding cut raises national security concerns

Health secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced that BARDA will stop funding work on mRNA vaccines. The move follows earlier cancellations of $766 million in Moderna contracts for flu vaccines meant to speed up responses to future pandemics. Scientists warn that halting mRNA vaccine development could slow the nation’s ability to roll out vaccines quickly when a new threat emerges.

Analysts say the decision highlights broader gaps in the U.S. preparedness system, including a leadership gap at the White House Office of Pandemic Preparedness and Response Policy. A senior policy analyst notes that the shift could undermine long-term research and the ability to deploy countermeasures in time.

The move blends budget discipline with health security risk. By cutting core vaccine development, the country may save money in the short term while paying a higher bill later in a faster-moving threat landscape. It also points to a wider pattern of scaling back the infrastructure that underpins rapid crisis response.

Politically, the decision could draw criticism from health experts and investors who rely on a strong domestic life-sciences program. It may also complicate international cooperation on threat response as partners look for stable leadership and clear strategy in the U.S. approach to emerging risks.

Highlights

The path forward will test whether preparedness can survive fiscal tightening.