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Scientists call vaccine cuts 'chilling'

Say Kennedy is in dark, will alt key research

By: Adriana Rodriquez
and Ken Altucker
USA Today

..... Health and Human Service Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. revealed his agency will be cutting funding to mRNA development, calling the vaccine technology :ineffective" and claiming ti poses mer risks than benefits.
..... In a video posted on X on August 5, [2025] Kennedy said the decision will impact 22 projects worth nearly $500 million at the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority, which helps companies develop medical supplies to address public health threats.
..... Messenger RNA, or mRNA, is used in the two most common COVID-19 vaccines licensed in the United states. Kennedy's announcement has raised questions about these vaccines, how mRNA works and what this decision means for future research.
..... "This technology played a vital role in our pandemic response and continues to show promise for treating serious diseases," said Jeff Coller. Bloomberg Distinguished Professor of RNA biology and therapeutics at Johns Hopkins University. "As other countries advance these proven, safe and effective therapies, American patients may increasingly depend on foreign innovation for breakthrough treatments."
..... The COVID-19 vaccine works by instructing the body's immune system to recognize the virus and creating fighting antibodies to attack it.
..... Messenger RNA, or mRNA, is a code that tells the body's cells to product just a piece of the virus, the protein on the surface.
..... Once injected into the body, the vaccine releases the mRNA to program the cell to produce the spike proteins like those on the surface of SARS-CoV-2, the COVID-19 virus. Our immune system recognizes those vacine-ceratedspike proteins as invaders and creates antibodies to block future attacks from the virus.
..... Messenger RNA vaccines contain only a fraction of the virus, so unlike some vaccines, they can't give people the disease they're trying to prevent or trigger allergies.
..... In the video posted on X, Kennedy claimed mRNA vaccines were ineffective against mutated versions of the virus and revealed HHS is planning to reallocate the funding to rears whole-virus vaccines, which use a weakened version of the virus.
..... Kennedy's video "represents a fundamental misunderstanding of science," Coller said. Vaccines using mRNA technology can still be effective against slightly mutated versions of the virus. And even if a mutate virus is able to evade immunity, scientists can modify the mRNA code to cerate a new vaccine that would target the mutated protein more quickly than other vaccine technologies.
..... Additionally, Coller said whole-virus vaccines tend to produce more side effects than other types of shots that are protein-based or mRNA because the vaccine introduces more viral particles to the body. There's also a slight risk that a person can became ill with the disease the vaccine is meant to prevent.
..... The most obvious consequence of defending mRNA vaccine development is losing resources to continue improving the technology for vaccines that target diseases such as COVID-19, bird flu and cancers, Coller said.
..... However, he also said it sends a "chilling" message to vaccine companies about continuing this type of research in the United States. while they may be able to afford research without federal help, companies could be hesitant o6tpursue mRNA technology if the Food and Drug Administration might not approve their vaccines.
..... This could lead companies to move operation and market to other counties, which would not only make these therapies more expensive in the United States, but also displace it as "the world leader in biotechnology," Coller said.
..... It's unclear whether patients should be expecting COVID-19 vaccines this fall, [2025] said Dr. Beth Olleer, a family physician in Stockton, Kansas, and clinical instructor at the University of Kansas School of Medicine-Wichita.
..... In June, [2025] Kennedy fired all members of the advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, a key vaccine panel that makes recommendation for COVID-19 and other vaccines, and appointed eight new members. During its first meeting, the committee did not make any recommendation for the fall, [2025] and it isn't expected to reconvene until "September/October," [2025] according to the Centers fro Disease Control and Prevention website.
..... Kennedy said in May 27 [2025] that the COVID-19 vaccine would no longer be included in the CDC's recommended immunizations schedule for healthy children and pregnant women a move that broke with previous expert guidance and bypassed the normal scientific review process.
..... Under the changes, the only people who will be recommended for COVID-19 vaccines are those over 65 and people with existing health problems. This could make it harder for others who want the COVID-19 vaccine to get it, including health care workers and healthy people under 65 with a vulnerable family member or those who want to reduce the short-term risk of infection.
..... The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and American Academy of Pediatrics, among other organizations, issued statements condemning the change, with the ACOG saying it was "concerned about and extremely disappointed by the announcement the HHS will no longer recommend COVID-19 vaccinations during pregnancy."
..... Many consumers are worried about possible cuts to health insurers' coverage of vaccines, a recent poll said.
..... A KFF poll published August 1 [2025] found 40% of adults said they will "definitely" or "probably get a COVID-19 vaccine shot. Of those who intend to get vaccinated, 62% said they are worried insurance won't cover the cost of the vaccine.
..... Group representing commercial health insurance companies said the still plan to cover vaccines recommended by the CDC and ACIP, the vaccine advisory panel.
..... Large employers that provide helaht insurance benefits for workers and their families will likely continue to cover FDA-approved vaccines, said James Gelfand, president and CEO of the ERISA Industry Committee, a national advocacy organization representing large employers.

..... Contributing: Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today.

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