RFK Jr’s health department to halt $500m in mRNA vaccine research

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has announced that it will terminate 22 federal contracts for mRNA-based vaccine research, worth approximately $500 million. The decision comes from the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), a unit within HHS that helps companies develop medical supplies for public health emergencies. BARDA has provided billions of dollars in funding for the development of COVID-19 vaccines during the pandemic, which have been credited with helping to end the pandemic and save millions of lives. However, the agency is now questioning the safety of the mRNA technology used in these vaccines. The article does not provide further details or context for BARDA's decision, and it is unclear what specific concerns the agency has about the safety of mRNA vaccines. The article suggests that this move may be influenced by Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a prominent critic of vaccines, who has been appointed to lead the HHS's new health department.