RFK Jr. Pulls Back on U.S. Investment in mRNA Vaccine Research

The Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority, or BARDA, is set to terminate 22 grants worth nearly $500 million.

Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.
Francis Chung/POLITICO via AP

The Department of Health and Human Services announced Tuesday it would begin a “coordinated wind-down” of its mRNA vaccine research.

Kennedy said in a press release that the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority, or BARDA, would terminate 22 grants that support the production of new mRNA vaccines “because the data show these vaccines fail to protect effectively against upper respiratory infections like COVID and flu.

“We’re shifting that funding toward safer, broader vaccine platforms that remain effective even as viruses mutate,” he added. “We reviewed the science, listened to the experts, and acted.”