The Moderna, Inc. emblem is displayed through the Shopper Electronics Present (CES) in Las Vegas, Nevada, on January 5, 2023.
US President Donald Trump’s administration on Wednesday canceled a $590 million contract with Moderna to develop an avian flu vaccine, the US biotech firm mentioned.
It marked the newest transfer towards vaccines by Well being Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr, who has spent a long time selling misinformation about immunization.
The contract, introduced on January 17—three days earlier than Trump took workplace—was for an mRNA vaccine concentrating on the H5N1 influenza pressure, which has been circulating in birds and cattle.
Specialists have warned the virus might bounce to people and spark a pandemic.
“While the termination of funding from HHS adds uncertainty, we are pleased by the robust immune response and safety profile observed in this interim analysis of the Phase 1/2 study of our H5 avian flu vaccine and we will explore alternative paths forward for the program,” mentioned CEO Stephane Bancel in an announcement.
“These clinical data in pandemic influenza underscore the critical role mRNA technology has played as a countermeasure to emerging health threats.”
The assertion added Moderna would “explore alternatives” for funding the event and manufacturing of the vaccine.
Dr. Ashish Jha, a public well being skilled who served as former president Joe Biden’s COVID-19 response coordinator, reacted with dismay.
“The attack on mRNA vaccines is beyond absurd,” he posted on X. “It was President Trump’s Operation Warp Speed that gave us mRNA vaccines.”
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US cancels $590 million contract with Moderna for chicken flu shot (2025, Could 29)
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