The Trump administration has canceled a $590 million contract with Moderna
to develop a human vaccine for bird flu, citing safety and ethical concerns over mRNA technology. The decision was announced on May 29, 2025, by the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).
### Background
The contract, signed under former US President Joe Biden in January, aimed to support late-stage development of Moderna’s bird flu vaccine and expand studies into five additional pandemic influenza subtypes. This followed a $176 million investment from HHS in 2023 to develop a pre-pandemic vaccine targeting the H5N1 strain.
### Reasons for Cancellation
HHS spokesperson Andrew Nixon stated that after a rigorous review, the agency concluded that continued investment in Moderna’s H5N1 mRNA vaccine was “not scientifically or ethically justifiable”. The decision aligns with Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s skepticism towards mRNA vaccines, which he has repeatedly questioned for safety.
### Impact on Vaccine Development
Despite the cancellation, Moderna announced promising results from a mid-stage trial, showing a rapid and durable immune response among nearly 300 adult patients. The company plans to explore alternative paths forward for the program, including seeking other funding sources for late-stage development and manufacturing.
### Public Health Concerns
Experts have raised alarms over the potential consequences of the government’s decision, warning that it could leave the country vulnerable to an avian influenza outbreak. According to Amesh Adalja, senior scholar at the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security, “The cancellation means that the government is discarding what could be one of the most effective and rapid tools to combat an avian influenza outbreak”.
### Current Situation
The H5N1 avian flu strain has been circulating globally, infecting wild birds, domestic poultry, and even mammals. In 2024, around 70 human infections were reported in the US, mostly among farm workers in close contact with livestock. Health officials continue to focus on pandemic preparedness, while disagreements between the federal government and public health experts may hinder development of mass protection against the bird flu.
### Reactions from the Scientific Community
– Ashish Jha, dean of the Brown School of Public Health, criticized the decision, saying, “The attack by the Administration on the mRNA vaccine platform is absurd”.
– Moderna CEO Stéphane Bancel expressed disappointment but highlighted the vaccine’s promising results, saying, “While the termination of funding from HHS adds uncertainty, we are pleased by the robust immune response and safety profile observed in this interim analysis”.
