Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. revealed his agency will be cutting funding to mRNA development, calling the vaccine technology "ineffective" and claiming it poses more risks than benefits.
In a video posted on X Aug. 5, Kennedy said the decision will impact 22 projects worth nearly $500 million at the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority, which helps companies develop medical supplies to address public health threats.
Messenger RNA, or mRNA, is used in the two most common COVID-19 vaccines licensed in the U.S. Kennedy’s announcement has raised questions about these vaccines, how mRNA works and what this decision means for future research.
"This technology played a vital role in our pandemic response and continues to show promise for treating serious diseases," said Jeff Coller, Bloomberg Distinguished Professor of RNA biology and therapeutics at Johns Hopkins University. "As other countries advance these proven, safe and effective therapies, American patients may increasingly depend on foreign innovation for breakthrough treatments."
How do mRNA vaccines work?
The COVID-19 vaccine works by instructing the body’s immune system to recognize the virus and creating fighting antibodies to attack it.
Messenger RNA, or mRNA, is a code that tells the body’s cells to produce just a piece of the virus, the protein on the surface. The code is protected by a lipid coating, like a fat bubble.
mRNA vaccines: RFK Jr. to wind down $500M vaccine development
Once injected into the body, the vaccine releases the mRNA to program the cell to produce the spike proteins like those on the surface of SARS-CoV-2, the COVID-19 virus. Our immune system recognizes those vaccine-created spike proteins as invaders and creates antibodies to block future attacks from the virus.
Messenger RNA vaccines contain only a fraction of the virus, so unlike some vaccines, they can't give people the disease they're trying to prevent or trigger allergies to eggs or other traditional vaccine ingredients.
Should I expect a COVID vaccine this fall?
It's unclear whether patients should be expecting COVID-19 vaccines this fall, said Dr. Beth Oller, a family physician in Stockton, Kansas, and clinical instructor at the University of Kansas School of Medicine-Wichita.
In June, Kennedy fired all members of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, a key vaccine panel that makes recommendations for COVID-19 and other vaccines, and appointed eight new members. During its first meeting, the committee did not make any recommendations for the fall and isn’t expected to reconvene until "September/October," according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website.
Kennedy said on May 27 that the COVID-19 vaccine would no longer be included in the CDC's recommended immunization schedule for healthy children and pregnant women, a move that broke with previous expert guidance and bypassed the normal scientific review process.
Under the changes, the only people who will be recommended for COVID-19 vaccines are those over 65 and people with existing health problems. This could make it harder for others who want the COVID-19 vaccine to get it, including health care workers and healthy people under 65 with a vulnerable family member or those who want to reduce their short-term risk of infection.
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) and American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), among other organizations, issued statements condemning the change, with the ACOG saying it was "...concerned about and extremely disappointed by the announcement that HHS will no longer recommend COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy."
Will insurance cover my COVID shot?
Many consumers are worried about possible cuts to health insurers' coverage of vaccines, a recent poll said.
A KFF poll published Aug. 1 found 40% of adults said they will "definitely" or "probably" get a COVID-19 vaccine shot. Of those who intend to get vaccinated, 62% said they are worried insurance won’t cover the cost of the vaccine.
Groups representing commercial health insurance companies said they still plan to cover vaccines recommended by the CDC and ACIP, the vaccine advisory panel.
"Health plans continue to follow federal requirements related to coverage of ACIP-recommended vaccines and will continue to support broad access to critical preventive services, including immunizations," said Tina Stow, spokesperson for AHIP, which represents health insurance companies.
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The CDC currently recommends shared decision-making between parents and doctors for immunizing children with the COVID-19 vaccine. It also recommends vaccines for people who are moderately or severely immune compromised.
Large employers that provide health insurance benefits for workers and their families will likely continue to cover Food and Drug Administration-approved vaccines, said James Gelfand, president and CEO of the ERISA Industry Committee.
In some cases, employer vaccine coverage might follow FDA approvals rather than narrower ACIP recommendations.Contributing: Mary Walrath-Holdridge
Adrianna Rodriguez can be reached at [email protected].
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: RFK Jr. defunds COVID shot technology. What is mRNA vaccine?
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