The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has canceled $500 million in contracts to help develop messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccines, citing a lack of public trust in the technology. The decision was made by Jay Bhattacharya, the agency’s director, during an appearance on right-wing provocateur Steve Bannon’s podcast.
Bhattacharya stated that the mRNA platform is “promising but not yet ready for prime time for vaccines” due to widespread distrust among the public. He also mentioned that even if a vaccine is effective, it cannot be guaranteed that the dose of antigen being administered is consistent and safe.
However, experts disagree with Bhattacharya’s assessment. Michael Osterholm, director of the University of Minnesota’s Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy, called Bhattacharya’s comment “disingenuous” and argued that Kennedy’s claims about mRNA vaccines being unsafe are unfounded.
Scott Hensley, a professor of microbiology at the University of Pennsylvania’s Perelman School of Medicine, also disputed Bhattacharya’s concerns. He pointed out that studies have shown that mRNA is destroyed shortly after vaccination and that antigen production can be quantified through clinical studies.
Bhattacharya’s comments on COVID-19 vaccines made using mRNA are also disputed by experts. While it is true that no vaccine prevents infection entirely, mRNA vaccines do lower the risk of severe infection that would lead to hospitalization or death.
Despite these concerns, Hensley emphasizes the potential benefits of mRNA technology and urges continued investment in research to improve the platform. He believes that with further development, mRNA vaccines can be improved to elicit broader responses and prevent infections more effectively.
The NIH’s decision highlights the challenges faced by vaccine developers in gaining public trust and confidence in new technologies. However, experts argue that this setback should not deter efforts to develop and refine mRNA-based vaccines for future pandemics.
Source: https://www.statnews.com/2025/08/11/mrna-vaccines-bhattacharya-bannon