HHS cancels $766 million in funding for Moderna’s bird flu vaccine program
HHS cancels $766 million in funding for Moderna’s bird flu vaccine program
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has terminated contracts worth $766 million with Moderna that were intended to support development of its H5N1 bird flu vaccine and other pre-pandemic influenza candidates, news reports said.
The decision followed an internal review that concluded Moderna’s project did not meet federal scientific or safety standards. HHS cited concerns over mRNA technology’s safety and transparency in past vaccine rollouts. The funding included $176 million granted in 2023 and $590 million awarded in January 2024.
Despite the cancellation, Moderna released positive interim results from a phase 1/2 trial of its mRNA-based H5 vaccine, reporting strong immune responses in about 300 healthy adults. The company said it will pursue alternative paths for further development.
The H5N1 virus has spread among birds, dairy cattle, and other animals across 17 states, prompting public health concerns. The U.S. maintains a stockpile of a traditional H5 vaccine, which remains viable.
