Former Trump official calls Kennedy’s latest move a ‘huge strategic misstep’ that ‘deeply compromises national security’

Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced Tuesday his plans to cancel $500 million in vaccine development projects, marking a significant shift in federal health policy. The decision targets all projects that utilize mRNA technology, the same platform used in COVID-19 vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna. Kennedy, who has long been critical of vaccines, stated that the move follows a comprehensive review of scientific evidence.

According to Politico, in a video posted on the social platform X, Kennedy, whose distinctive raspy voice is caused by spasmodic dysphonia, explained the rationale behind the decision. He said that after reviewing the science and consulting with top experts at the National Institutes of Health and Food and Drug Administration, the Department of Health and Human Services determined that mRNA technology poses more risks than benefits for respiratory viruses like COVID-19 and the flu.

The announcement has drawn sharp criticism from former government officials familiar with pandemic preparedness. Rick Bright, who served as the director of the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority from 2016 to 2020, called Kennedy’s decision a “huge strategic misstep” and warned that it ‘deeply compromises national security,’ especially given that measles cases have already hit a 30-year high under Trump’s leadership.” Bright, who previously criticized the Trump administration’s early COVID response, expressed concerns about the timing of such cuts amid growing global biological risks.

Kennedy’s vaccine project cancellations affect major pharmaceutical companies

The cancellations will impact 22 projects worth nearly $500 million across multiple organizations and companies. Major pharmaceutical firms, including Pfizer, Sanofi Pasteur, CSL Seqirus, and Gritstone, will see their proposals rejected under the new policy. Academic institutions are also affected, with contracts involving Emory University and Tiba Biotech among those being terminated.

However, the Department of Health and Human Services indicated that some projects currently in their final stages will be allowed to continue to completion. This exception aims to preserve previous taxpayer investments that have already been made in these advanced-stage projects. The department has also instructed the Global Health Investment Corporation, which helps manage BARDA’s technological investments, to stop making mRNA-based equity investments going forward.

The policy change represents a fundamental shift in how the federal government approaches vaccine development and pandemic preparedness. Bright warned that disinvesting from mRNA technology removes one of the fastest available tools for containing future pandemics, whether they occur naturally or are deliberately caused. Despite the widespread cancellations of mRNA projects, HHS clarified that other mRNA technologies within the department remain unaffected by this announcement. Moving forward, BARDA will redirect its vaccine investment focus toward alternative approaches, including whole-virus vaccines and other emerging immunization platforms.