Vaccines using mRNA technology weren’t immune to the latest round of federal research cuts.
Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said this week that he’s pulling the plug on nearly $500 million in funding for the development of mRNA vaccines. The 22 projects are managed by the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority.
“The data show these vaccines fail to protect effectively against upper respiratory infections like COVID and flu,” Kennedy, a longtime vaccine critic, said in a statement. “We’re shifting that funding toward safer, broader vaccine platforms that remain effective even as viruses mutate.”
Several studies have demonstrated that mRNA COVID-19 vaccines were more than 90% effective at preventing severe illness and death.
Vaccine researchers immediately took issue with the fiscal gutting, calling it a major setback for science.
“I don’t think I’ve seen a more dangerous decision in public health in my 50 years in the business,” said Mike Osterholm, a University of Minnesota expert on infectious diseases and pandemic preparations.
Here’s a closer look at how mRNA vaccines work.
What is mRNA?
All living cells have ribonucleic acid, an essential biological molecule known as RNA.
RNA’s primary role in the body is to make proteins, which are needed for virtually every cellular process, from building and repairing tissues to defending the body from bacteria and viruses and transporting nutrients and oxygen.
Proteins are synthesized using three main types of RNA — messenger RNA (mRNA), transfer RNA (tRNA) and ribosomal RNA (rRNA).
MRNA’s job is to carry information for protein making from DNA to the cell’s ribosomes, where it’s translated into proteins. --->READ MORE HERE
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| Aaron Schwartz/Sipa USA/Newscom |
Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has launched yet another scientifically unjustified attack on promising vaccine research by canceling mRNA vaccine research contracts sponsored by the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA).
"We reviewed the science, listened to the experts, and acted," said Kennedy in a press release. "BARDA is terminating 22 mRNA vaccine development investments because the data show these vaccines fail to protect effectively against upper respiratory infections like COVID and flu. We're shifting that funding toward safer, broader vaccine platforms that remain effective even as viruses mutate." In other words, RFK Jr. plans to spend the $500 million from the canceled BARDA contracts on these allegedly safer and broader vaccine platforms.
Really? Consider that in June, vaccine manufacturer Moderna reported the results of a clinical trial pitting its mRNA influenza vaccine against both high-dose and standard-dose licensed seasonal influenza vaccines. The conventional vaccines used inactivated flu viruses to induce an immune response. Moderna's mRNA-1010 achieved a relative vaccine efficacy against influenza illness of 26.6 percent in the trial. That means that the mRNA-1010 group had 26.6 percent fewer influenza cases than the group that got the standard-dose flu shot. For example, if the standard flu vaccine group had 100 cases per 1,000 people, the mRNA-1010 group would have had about 73–74 cases per 1,000.
The clinical trial roundly contradicts RFK Jr.'s claim that mRNA vaccines fail to protect effectively against upper respiratory infections, especially in comparison to old-fashioned flu vaccines. And, you know, flu viruses mutate every year. --->READ MORE HEREFollow links below to relevant/related stories and resources:
CDC boots American Medical Association from panel that establishes vaccine recommendations
How the COVID-19 pandemic affected parents and youth: Thorns and silver linings
USA TODAY: Coronavirus Updates
WSJ: Coronavirus Live Updates
YAHOO NEWS: Coronavirus Live Updates
NEW YORK POST: Coronavirus The Latest
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