The United States has announced a significant policy shift in its federal public health strategy, halting $500 million in funding for mRNA vaccine projects. This decision, announced by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), signals a move towards what it deems "safer, broader vaccine platforms."

• Affected projects amounted to nearly $500 million in funding.
• HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. stated the decision was based on data indicating mRNA vaccines "fail to protect effectively against upper respiratory infections like Covid and and flu."
• The HHS will now prioritize technologies with stronger safety records and greater transparency in clinical and manufacturing data.