RFK Jr. pulls funding for mRNA vaccine development, $500 million in contracts to be canceled

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has announced that he will be pulling funding for mRNA vaccine development.

The announcement came on Tuesday, when Kennedy shared a video on social media indicating that almost $500 million in contracts will be canceled.

Watch:

In a move that many were hoping for but were not expecting, HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy just announced that BARDA will be CANCELING 22 mRNA vaccine development contracts, saving taxpayers about $500 million in the process.

This move delivered a major blow to the biomedical… pic.twitter.com/rPFVIA76gx

— The Vigilant Fox (@VigilantFox) August 5, 2025

“At HHS we have a division called the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority, or BARDA,” Kennedy explained. “BARDA drives some of our most advanced scientific research. It funds development of vaccines, drugs, diagnostics and other tools to fight emerging diseases and national health threats. Over the past few weeks, BARDA reviewed 22 mRNA vaccine development investments, and began canceling them. Let me explain why.”

“Most of these shots are for flu or COVID, but as the pandemic showed us, mRNA vaccines don’t perform well against viruses that infect the upper respiratory tract,” he continued. “Here’s the problem, mRNA only codes for a small part of the viral proteins, usually a single antigen. One mutation and the vaccine becomes ineffective. This dynamic drives a phenomenon called antigenic shift, meaning that the vaccine paradoxically encourages new mutations and can actually prolong pandemics as the virus constantly mutates to escape the protective effects of the vaccine.”

“Millions of people, maybe even you or someone you know, caught the Omicron variant despite being vaccinated. That’s because a single mutation can make mRNA vaccines ineffective,” he added. “The same risk applies to the flu. After reviewing the science and consulting top experts at NIH and FDA, HHS has determined that mRNA technology poses more risk than benefits for these respiratory viruses. That’s why, after extensive review, BARDA has begun the process of terminating these 22 contracts totalling just under $500 million. To replace the troubled mRNA programs, we’re prioritizing the development of safer, broader vaccine strategies, like whole-virus vaccines and novel platforms that don’t collapse when viruses mutate.”

He even attempted to get out ahead of liberals who would predictably lose their minds over this announcement.

“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 for respiratory viruses and investing in better solutions. Thank you.”

Writer/Columnist

Sierra Marlee is a millennial whose hunger for the truth in a world of fake news has led her to BizPac Review.

Latest posts by Sierra Marlee (see all)

We have no tolerance for comments containing violence, racism, profanity, vulgarity, doxing, or discourteous behavior. Thank you for partnering with us to maintain fruitful conversation.