WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has announced a sweeping plan to wind down its mRNA vaccine development initiatives under the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), marking a significant shift in federal vaccine strategy. The move follows a department-wide review of investments made during the COVID-19 public health emergency and will impact 22 projects valued at nearly $500 million.
The decision will lead to the termination, restructuring, or de-scoping of multiple contracts and solicitations tied to mRNA vaccine research. Affected programs include canceled contracts with Emory University and Tiba Biotech, reduced scopes of work for Luminary Labs, ModeX, and Seqirus, and the rejection or cancellation of pending proposals from companies such as Pfizer, Sanofi Pasteur, CSL Seqirus, and Gritstone. Collaborative efforts with the Department of Defense’s Joint Program Executive Office will also be restructured, affecting nucleic acid-based vaccine projects with AAHI, AstraZeneca, HDT Bio, and Moderna/University of Texas Medical Branch.
While certain late-stage contracts—such as those with Arcturus and Amplitude—will be allowed to proceed to protect prior taxpayer investment, HHS has ordered BARDA to halt the initiation of any new mRNA-based projects. The department’s partner, Global Health Investment Corporation (GHIC), which manages BARDA Ventures, will also cease all equity investments in mRNA technologies.
HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. stated that the decision reflects a science-driven reassessment of the platform’s performance. According to Kennedy, the data review concluded that mRNA vaccines have limitations in protecting against upper respiratory infections like COVID-19 and influenza. Moving forward, BARDA will prioritize vaccine platforms with broader protection, stronger safety profiles, and transparent data practices, including whole-virus vaccines and other novel approaches.
The department emphasized that the shift does not affect other uses of mRNA technology within HHS. Instead, the reallocation of funding is intended to accelerate development of alternatives that can maintain effectiveness even as viruses mutate, with a focus on safety, efficacy, and long-term resilience in the nation’s vaccine supply.
This change marks one of the most substantial strategic pivots in U.S. vaccine development policy since the pandemic, signaling a move away from emergency-era platforms toward more diversified, evidence-based solutions.
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