The U.S. government suspends funding for bird flu mRNA vaccine development
Image credit: javaistan via Unsplash
The U.S. government has halted funding for the development of a bird flu vaccine using mRNA technology due to potential concerns about safety and long-term effects. This move may slow outbreak preparedness, as officials acknowledge that traditional vaccine methods remain an option but require more time to produce and may not meet the demand as effectively as mRNA approaches. Some experts suggest that the debate around mRNA vaccines has become highly politicized, with concerns sometimes reflecting public fears more than scientific evidence. The decision reflects ongoing discussions about how best to balance caution with the need for rapid vaccine innovation.
Source
Xu, J., Wu, Z., Wass, L. et al. Mapping global public perspectives on mRNA vaccines and therapeutics. npj Vaccines 9, 218 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41541-024-01019-3
Additional Reading
https://www.npr.org/2025/05/28/nx-s1-5414642/trump-vaccine-bird-flu-mrna
https://publichealth.jhu.edu/2025/risks-of-cuts-to-mrna-vaccine-development