Washington: The United States is halting hundreds of millions of dollars in funding for the development of mRNA-based vaccines as part of a major policy shift in federal public health strategy, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced Tuesday.

According to Namibia Press Agency, HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. stated that the agency had terminated 22 mRNA vaccine development investments because the data show these vaccines "fail to protect effectively against upper respiratory infections like Covid and flu." The affected projects totaled nearly 500 million U.S. dollars.

"We're shifting that funding toward safer, broader vaccine platforms that remain effective even as viruses mutate," Kennedy said. This move indicates a broader shift in U.S. federal vaccine development priorities. Future efforts will prioritize technologies with stronger safety records and greater transparency in clinical and manufacturing data.

The decision has sparked strong criticism from public health experts and researchers, who warned that retreating from mRNA technology may undermine the country's ability to respond swiftly to future pandemics.