Donald Trump's health secretary, vaccine skeptic Robert Kennedy Jr., announced on August 5 that the United States would stop funding the development of several mRNA vaccines, a promising technology that has saved millions of lives during the Covid-19 pandemic.
“ We've looked at the science, listened to the experts, and we're taking action.", Mr. Kennedy said in a statement, announcing the completion of 22 investments totaling "about 500 million dollars"This funding focused on the development of treatments for avian flu and swine flu and was awarded or in the process of being awarded to several major pharmaceutical companies such as Moderna, Pfizer and Sanofi. Messenger RNA vaccines are a source of much hope, particularly in the fight against viruses but also against cancer.
“ Data shows that these vaccines do not effectively protect against upper respiratory infections such as Covid and influenza", accused the minister, without going into further details. He also questioned their safety by announcing that he would redirect the funds towards technologies" safer“.
The affected funding is that allocated to the powerful US agency responsible for providing the country with the means to deal with health crises, Barda. Funding for other agencies affiliated with the US Department of Health is not affected.
Technology targets many disinformation campaigns
Strongly contested by many experts for his anti-vaccine positions, Robert Kennedy Jr. has initiated a profound overhaul of American vaccination policy since taking office.
An undeniable scientific success, messenger RNA technology played a decisive role during the global Covid-19 pandemic by enabling the rapid development of effective vaccines. However, it has also been the target of numerous disinformation campaigns that have fueled public distrust.
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