Washington (AP) – Department of Health and Human Services will cancel contracts and pull funds for some vaccines that are being developed to fight respiratory viruses like Covid-19 And this Fever,
Robert f. Kennedy JuniorA statement on Tuesday announced that 22 projects of $ 500 million would be stopped to develop vaccines using MRNA technology.
Kennedy’s decision to eliminate projects is the latest in one Wire of decisions It has long told about the shots of the vaccine critic’s shots in the health department of the nation. Kennedy is Draw back recommendations Around Kovid -19 shots, Removed panel This vaccine recommends, and refused to offer a vigorous support of vaccination as one Measles outbreak Was spoilt.
The Health Secretary criticized MRNA vaccines in a video on his social media accounts, interpreting the decision to cancel projects led by the country’s leading pharmaceutical companies, including Fizzle and Modern, which provides protection against viruses such as Flu, Kovid -19 and H5N1.
Kennedy said in the video, “To change the troubled MRNA programs, we are prioritizing the development of whole-vyrus vaccines and novel platforms, broad vaccine strategies, which do not collapse when the virus is muted.”
Infectious pathologists say that the MRNA technique used in vaccines is safe, and they credits its development during the first trump administration with slowing down the 2020 Koronwirus epidemics. Future epidemic, he warned, will be difficult to stop without the help of MRNA.
“I don’t think I have seen more dangerous decisions in public health in my 50 years in business,” said an expert on Mike Oasterhom, a infectious diseases and epidemic of the University of Minnesota.
He said that MRNA technology provides possible benefits of rapid production, important in a new epidemic event that requires a new vaccine.
MRNA projects are submerged in cold storage, as concerns about bird flu epidemic continue, who is a vaccine specialist at Children Hospital, Philadelphia. Paul offt has said.
“This definitely saves millions of lives,” the offt said about the existing MRNA vaccines.
Scientists are using mRNA for more than infectious disease vaccines, researchers around the world have discovered its use for cancer immunotherapy. Earlier this year, at the White House, billionaire tech entrepreneur Larry Alison praised MRNA for her ability to treat cancer.
Traditionally, vaccines require growing pieces of virus, often in chicken eggs or spacious vats, then purifying that material. The MRNA approach begins with a snipet of genetic code that instructs to make protein. Scientists choose to target proteins, injects that blueprint and makes the body enough to trigger immune protection – producing its own vaccine dose.
In a statement on Tuesday, HHS stated that “other uses of MRNA technology within the department are not affected by this announcement.”
MRNA technology is used in approved Covid-19 And RSV Shots, but not yet approved for flu shot. Modern, Who was studying a combination Covid-19 and Flu MRNA shotIt was said that it is believed that MRNA may accelerate the production of flu shots compared to traditional vacancies.
The abandoned MRNA projects indicate “changes in vaccine development priorities”, in its statement, the Health Department said that it will “start investing in better solutions.” No details were given on those other technologies.
“I must be completely clear, HHS supports safe, effective vaccines for every American,” Kennedy said in the statement.
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Associated press writers in Washington contributed to Argard and Mike Stobbe in New York.
Amanda Setz, Associated Press
