US Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr’s decision to cancel nearly half-a-billion dollars in federal funding for future vaccine development has left public health experts stunned. The move comes after the Trump administration withdrew a multimillion-dollar contract with Moderna to develop a bird flu vaccine using mRNA technology.
Dr. Michael Osterholm, director of the University of Minnesota Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy, called Kennedy’s decision “the most dangerous public health decision I have ever seen made by a government body.” He noted that mRNA vaccines were crucial in combating COVID-19 and could significantly reduce mortality rates from future pandemics.
Kennedy cited the limitations of mRNA technology against respiratory viruses as his reason for canceling funding. However, Dr. Osterholm disputed this claim, pointing out that while mRNA vaccines may not be perfect, they have been proven effective in reducing serious illness, hospitalizations, and deaths during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The cancellation of funding also raises concerns about the impact on public health. Dr. Osterholm warned that Kennedy’s actions could lead to “incalculable” risks, including potentially millions of deaths from future pandemics.
In response, Dr. Osterholm and other experts are launching a new organization called the Vaccine Integrity Project to provide accurate information on vaccine safety and effectiveness. The project aims to evaluate scientific evidence and make recommendations for public health policy, which will be based on credible research rather than misinformation.
Source: https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/federal-mrna-funding-cut-is-most-dangerous-public-health-decision-ever-expert-says