Robert F Kennedy Jr is reevaluating a $590 million contract that was awarded to Moderna for the development of its bird flu vaccine.
Experts fear that the newly appointed health chief‘s move could leave the US vulnerable to an epidemic if the H5N1 virus starts spreading widely in people.
So far 70 confirmed human cases of H5N1 infection have been reported, mostly from direct contact with birds, butt he virus is ravaging poultry and cattle farms in the US.
And it is believed the true number of cases in humans may be higher, with instances going undetected among dairy and poultry workers.
Currently, there is no vaccine available for bird flu but Moderna has been exploring a messenger RNA-based vaccine, the technology that powered its Covid vaccine.
The US government awarded the pharmaceutical company $590 million in January to advance the development of the vaccine.
This was in addition to the $176 million awarded by the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) last year to complete the late-stage development and testing of a pre-pandemic mRNA-based vaccine against the H5N1 avian influenza.
Robert F Kennedy Jr is reevaluating a $590 million contract that was awarded to Moderna for the development of its bird flu vaccine
The mRNA bird flu vaccine is based on the same technology as Pfizer ‘s and Moderna’s Covid vaccines
But now it appears the government is backtracking on its decision.
Explaining the rationale, an HHS spokesperson said in an emailed statement: ‘While it is crucial that the US Department of Health and Human Services support pandemic preparedness, four years of Biden administration’s failed oversight have made it necessary to review agreements for vaccine production.’
The mRNA bird flu vaccine is based on the same technology as Pfizer‘s and Moderna’s Covid vaccines.
The vaccine contains mRNA, which acts like a set of instructions for the body. Cells read the mRNA and temporarily produce a harmless piece of the bird flu virus like a decoy.
The immune system recognizes this protein as a threat and builds defenses against it. If a person is later exposed to bird flu, their immune system is already trained to fight it off.
Researchers have tested the vaccine on mice and ferrets and have observed a strong immune response in the animals.
The vaccine will need to produce successful results in the late stage trial.
After that, it will need to enter clinical trials on humans, and be approved by the FDA if those trials go well.
But if the funding is pulled, Moderna’s efforts may have to be halted.
News of the review on vaccine production comes after RFK Jr moved to limit public comment on some of the health department’s actions.
He announced the reversal of an obscure requirement called the Richardson Waiver, which had been in place since 1971 and imposes notice-and-comment periods on a wide range of health-related decisions.
While RFK Jr pledged ‘radical transparency’ in senate confirmation hearings, commentators say his latest moves are not in line with his promises.
Lawrence Gostin, who specializes in public health law at Georgetown University wrote on X: ‘RFK Jr’s decision to eliminate notice & comment for certain actions enables HHS to operate in secret & without public participation.
‘HHS can ignore the views of key stakeholders like researchers & health advocates. HHS will make crucial public health decisions behind closed doors.’
This article was originally published by a www.dailymail.co.uk . Read the Original article here. .