BARDA To Terminate “22 mRNA Vaccine Development Investments” – HHS Secretary RFK Jr. Says

Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) is “terminating 22 mRNA vaccine development investments.”

“We reviewed the science, listened to the experts, and acted. 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,” RFK Jr. said.

“We’re shifting that funding toward safer, broader vaccine platforms that remain effective even as viruses mutate,” he added.

“Let me be absolutely clear: HHS supports safe, effective vaccines for every American who wants them. That’s why we’re moving beyond the limitations of mRNA and investing in better solutions,” RFK Jr. said in a video announcement.

The nearly two-dozen mRNA vaccine development contracts total approximately $500 million.

Watch RFK Jr.’s announcement:

We reviewed the science, listened to the experts, and acted. 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… pic.twitter.com/GPKbuU7ywN

— Secretary Kennedy (@SecKennedy) August 5, 2025

More from HHS:

The wind-down affects a range of programs including:

• Cancellation of BARDA’s award to Moderna/UTMB for an mRNA-based H5N1 vaccine.
• Termination of contracts with Emory University and Tiba Biotech.
• De-scoping of mRNA-related work in existing contracts with Luminary Labs, ModeX, and Seqirus.
• Rejection or cancellation of multiple pre-award solicitations, including proposals from Pfizer, Sanofi Pasteur, CSL Seqirus, Gritstone, and others, as part of BARDA’s Rapid Response Partnership Vehicle (RRPV) and VITAL Hub.
• Restructuring of collaborations with DoD-JPEO, affecting nucleic acid-based vaccine projects with AAHI, AstraZeneca, and HDT Bio.

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. HHS has also instructed its partner, Global Health Investment Corporation (GHIC), which manages BARDA Ventures, to cease all mRNA-based equity investments. In total, this affects 22 projects worth nearly $500 million. Other uses of mRNA technology within the department are not impacted by this announcement.

According to Fierce Biotech, the cancellation ends the contract for Moderna’s bird flu vaccine candidate.

HHS is ending mRNA vaccine work funded by BARDA, impacting 22 projects valued at $500M. RFK Jr. said “these vaccines fail to protect effectively against upper respiratory infections.”https://t.co/auj8RgOhlc

— FierceBiotech (@FierceBiotech) August 5, 2025

Fierce Biotech noted:

Kennedy said that instead of mRNA, the agency would invest in “better solutions,” like vaccines that use whole viruses and undisclosed novel platforms. Asked for specifics, the HHS spokesperson pointed Fierce to the May 1 announcement of Generation Gold Standard, a planned universal vaccine platform supported by HHS and the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

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“The long-term effects and safety of these vaccines have not necessarily been studied,” the HHS spokesperson said. “Until we can prove that mRNA technology is safe and effective, we have to focus on other platforms.”

The spokesperson cited a recent Senate report accusing the Biden administration of “efforts to downplay and delay warning the public about the risks of myocarditis associated with the mRNA COVID-19 vaccines.”