Breaking: HHS cancels nearly $600 million Moderna contract on vaccines for flu pandemics

The decision will be seen as a significant blow to pandemic preparedness

Log In    Subscribe Breaking news   HHS cancels nearly $600 million Moderna contract on vaccines for flu pandemics By Helen Branswell Adobe HHS has notified Moderna that it is canceling a nearly $600 million contract with the company to develop, test, and license vaccines for flu strains that could trigger future pandemics, including the dangerous H5N1 bird flu virus.   No other flu vaccine production approach can produce doses with the speed of the messenger RNA platform used by Moderna and other companies that work with mRNA. But the vaccine platform is viewed with deep suspicion by health secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and his political base. READ MORE Sign up for Daily Recap All the health and medical news you need today, in one email. Learn more. In Case You Missed It 'Corrupt' medical journals have to change, RFK Jr. says, or the NIH will publish in-house By Anil Oza With Covid vaccine decisions, RFK Jr. unleashes an unfettered assault on public health By Matthew Herper Young scientists say they may abandon research as their career options shrink amid Trump cuts By By Chris Serres — Boston Globe and J. Emory Parker — STAT A Harvard scientist built a database of 2,100 NIH grant terminations. Then his own funding was cut By Anil Oza Get 50% off an annual STAT+ subscription Join today and enjoy unlimited access to award-winning journalism, premium data tools, and discounted event tickets. Learn more STAT, 1 Exchange Place, Boston, MA ©2025, All Rights Reserved. I no longer wish to receive STAT emails Update Newsletter Preferences • Contact Us • Advertise with Us