Read, Watch or Listen

The Trump administration, under Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., terminated 22 federal contracts totaling nearly $500 million for mRNA-based vaccine development. Kennedy cited concerns about the vaccines' effectiveness against respiratory illnesses like COVID-19 and the flu, though these concerns are widely disputed by the scientific community. The decision reflects a broader skepticism towards mRNA technology within the administration, despite assurances that other mRNA research remains unaffected. The move is the latest in a series of policy changes reflecting Kennedy's known anti-vaccine stance.

Prepared by Olivia Bennett and reviewed by editorial team.