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The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) will cancel the development of mRNA shots for respiratory viruses such as flu and COVID, Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. announced Tuesday.
“At HHS, we have a division called the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority, or BARDA,” Kennedy explained in a video message posted to X. “BARDA drives some of our most advanced scientific research. It funds developments of vaccines, drugs, diagnostics, and other tools to fight emergent diseases and national health threats.”
The secretary noted that, after reviewing 22 mRNA vaccine development contracts, BARDA has decided to begin cancelling their funding.
“Most of these shots are for flu or COVID,” he continued. “But as the pandemic showed us, mRNA vaccines don’t perform well against viruses that infect the upper respiratory tract. Here’s the problem: mRNA only codes for a small part of the viral proteins, usually a single antigen. One mutation, and the vaccine becomes ineffective.”
“This dynamic drives a phenomenon called antigenic shift, meaning that the vaccine paradoxically encourages new mutations and can actually prolong pandemics as the virus constantly mutates to escape the protective effects of the vaccine,” Kennedy continued. “Millions of people, maybe even you or someone you know, got the Omicron variant despite being vaccinated. That’s because a single mutation can make mRNA vaccines ineffective. The same risk applies to flu.”
The secretary explained that, after an extensive review and consultation with “top experts at NIH and FDA,” HHS has “determined that mRNA technology poses more risks than benefits for these respiratory viruses.”
BARDA, he said, has now “begun the process of terminating these 22 contracts, totaling just under $500 million, to replace the troubled mRNA programs.”
“We’re prioritizing the development of safer, broader vaccine strategies like whole virus vaccines and novel platforms that don’t collapse when viruses mutate,” Kennedy said.
“Let me be absolutely clear,” the secretary emphasized. “HHS supports safe, effective vaccines for every American who wants them. That’s why we’re moving beyond the limitations of mRNA for respiratory viruses and investing in better solutions.”
Ryan Cole, M.D., a board-certified pathologist, reacted to Kennedy’s announcement on “The War Room.”
“This is a massive win for Secretary Kennedy, and basically a silencing of many of the critics,” Cole told host Steve Bannon. “It’s not a ban on mRNA, like many people would like to see. However, it is the wind-down of the government investing through BARDA in these technologies, and their global health investment corporation partner is advised to stop all equity investments in modified RNA technologies.”
“So, follow the money,” Cole said. “When the money isn’t there, these are going to fizzle. This is good. The repercussions are going to be felt worldwide. There will be backlash. People want their novel technologies and the potential monies that come from investments in it, but it’s an unsafe technology.”
Cole further reiterated Kennedy’s mention of the ineffectiveness of the mRNA shots against COVID and flu.
“You’re looking at a target that’s going to mutate and go away,” he said. “So, it was a failed technology from the beginning. Moderna wouldn’t exist if the government hadn’t buoyed them up with upfront money, billions of dollars, to get this out into the public. This is really a holdover of the Fauci mindset that many of us are grateful to see be de-invested and defunded like this.”
Cole said the “de-investment” of these 22 projects will likely be “just the beginning.”
“I think this shores up the strength of the MAHA [Make America Health Again] movement,” he added. “This is true action. This is actually going to be beneficial to the health of many that won’t get this type of technology put into their bodies going forward.”
Cole emphasized, nevertheless, that not all funding for all mRNA vaccines is “gone.”
“There’s still some funding and contracts that will be carried out and finished,” he said. “There’s still research opportunities in this realm. However, it’s a clear and unambiguous statement that this is not for human use.”
Nicolas Hulscher, MPH, epidemiologist and administrator of the McCullough Foundation, wrote at Focal Points, however, that Kennedy “failed to mention” in his statement that “the mRNA injections caused catastrophic levels of injury and death.”
“While we still need the immediate removal of COVID-19 mRNA shots from the market and accountability for the harm incurred, it’s nice to see some positive steps,” Hulscher stated.
