Trump administration announces federal funding cancellation for 22 mRNA vaccines
News | By Easton Martin | August 6, 2025
The Trump administration announced on Wednesday that it will cancel more than $500 million in federal funding for 22 ongoing mRNA vaccine projects.
Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said the decision reflects a strategic shift away from traditional mRNA vaccine development toward what the department calls “universal vaccines” designed to provide broader protection by mimicking natural immunity.
The move will halt projects at multiple research institutions and pharmaceutical companies, including work aimed at creating next-generation vaccines for influenza and coronavirus-like illnesses.
Federal officials emphasized that the decision is not a withdrawal from vaccine innovation, but a reallocation of resources toward a different model of disease prevention.
Kennedy explained that universal vaccines are intended to stimulate immunity across a wider range of viral strains, reducing the need for frequent updates and seasonal boosters. Federal health agencies will redirect funds to accelerate research and trials in this area.
The cancellation follows months of review of federal vaccine contracts. Officials said the new direction is part of a long-term strategy to address viral outbreaks more efficiently, while also lowering costs associated with vaccine production and distribution.
