US health agency to wind down mRNA vaccine development

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(Reuters) -The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services said on Tuesday it would wind down mRNA vaccine development activities under its biomedical research unit.

The unit, Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority, helps companies develop medical supplies to address public health threats, and had provided billions of dollars for development of vaccines during the COVID-19 pandemic.

HHS said the wind down includes cancellation of a contract awarded to Moderna for the late-stage development of its bird flu vaccine for humans and the right to purchase the shots, as previously reported in May.

The U.S. health agency said it was also rejecting or canceling multiple pre-award solicitations, including proposals from Pfizer, Sanofi Pasteur, CSL Seqirus, Gritstone and others.

This is the latest development under U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a long-time vaccine skeptic who has been making sweeping changes to reshape vaccines, food and medicine policies.

Kennedy said the HHS is terminating these programs because data show these vaccines “fail to protect effectively against upper respiratory infections like COVID and flu,” but did not offer scientific evidence.

“We’re shifting that funding toward safer, broader vaccine platforms that remain effective even as viruses mutate,” Kennedy said.

In total, the decision affects 22 projects worth nearly $500 million, the agency said.

HHS said the decision follows a comprehensive review of mRNA-related investments initiated during the COVID-19 public health emergency.

(Reporting by Christy Santhosh in Bengaluru; Editing by Leroy Leo)