The Trump administration cuts over $750 million in funding to Moderna for mRNA vaccines, citing concerns about “under-tested” technology and lack of proper safety oversight during the Biden era.
Key Takeaways
- The Trump administration’s HHS has terminated more than $750 million in funding to Moderna for mRNA-based bird flu vaccines, citing safety concerns and inadequate testing.
- HHS Communications Director Andrew Nixon stated that mRNA technology remains “under-tested” and the administration won’t repeat “mistakes” that allegedly “concealed legitimate safety concerns.”
- The decision aligns with broader changes in federal vaccine policy, including removing COVID-19 vaccines from recommended lists for children and pregnant women.
- Moderna maintains that its mRNA H5 bird flu vaccine showed “robust immune response and safety” in early trials and will pursue alternative funding avenues.
- The funding cut reflects ongoing debates about mRNA vaccine safety following reports of side effects like myocarditis associated with COVID-19 vaccines.
HHS Terminates Moderna’s Bird Flu Vaccine Funding
President Trump’s Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has canceled over $750 million in federal funding to Moderna for developing mRNA-based bird flu vaccines. This decisive action reverses previous Biden administration awards totaling approximately $766 million that were designated for advancing Moderna’s mRNA vaccine technology. The administration cited significant concerns about the safety and testing protocols of mRNA technology, which gained widespread use during the COVID-19 pandemic but has remained controversial due to reported adverse effects and what Trump officials describe as insufficient oversight.
“After a rigorous review, we concluded that continued investment in Moderna’s H5N1 mRNA vaccine was not scientifically or ethically justifiable. This is not simply about efficacy — it’s about safety, integrity, and trust. The reality is that mRNA technology remains under-tested, and we are not going to spend taxpayer dollars repeating the mistakes of the last administration, which concealed legitimate safety concerns from the public,” Stated Andrew Nixon
Safety Concerns and Transparency Issues
Trump officials pointed to a Senate Republican report which suggested the Biden administration deliberately withheld critical safety data and downplayed risks associated with mRNA COVID-19 vaccines. These vaccines, produced by both Moderna and Pfizer, faced growing scrutiny following reports of adverse side effects, particularly myocarditis (heart inflammation) in young males. The decision to terminate funding reflects the administration’s commitment to ensuring greater transparency and thorough testing before investing significant taxpayer dollars in medical technologies that may carry unknown long-term risks.
The funding cut is part of a broader reassessment of federal vaccine policies under President Trump, which has already included removing COVID-19 vaccines from the recommended list for children and pregnant women. This approach prioritizes thorough scientific validation and increased transparency about potential risks, addressing concerns that many conservative Americans have expressed about the rapid development and deployment of mRNA vaccines during the pandemic response.
Moderna Defends Its Research
Despite the funding termination, Moderna stands by its research and preliminary findings. The company reported that its early-phase trial of the mRNA-based H5 bird flu vaccine demonstrated strong immune responses in approximately 300 healthy adults. This data suggests potential efficacy against avian influenza strains, which remains a concern for public health officials monitoring potential pandemic threats. Moderna has indicated it will pursue alternative funding sources to continue development of this vaccine technology.
“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,” Stated Stephane Bancel, Chief Executive Officer of Moderna
Divided Expert Opinions
The decision has sparked debate among public health experts. Critics of the administration’s move, primarily those who were involved in the Biden administration’s COVID response, have defended mRNA technology. Dr. Ashish Jha, former White House Covid-19 response coordinator, called the decision “beyond absurd” and highlighted the widespread use of mRNA vaccines globally. However, supporters of the funding cut point to legitimate concerns about rushed approval processes and the need for more comprehensive safety studies before further expanding the use of this technology.
The U.S. currently maintains older technology vaccines against H5 viruses in its Strategic National Stockpile, which the administration considers adequate protection against potential bird flu outbreaks. This approach prioritizes proven technologies with established safety records over newer, potentially riskier alternatives that haven’t undergone decades of post-market surveillance. The decision underscores President Trump’s commitment to protecting Americans from both disease threats and potentially harmful medical interventions pushed forward without adequate testing.
