The news: HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. canceled $500 million in federal mRNA grants, eliminating flu, COVID-19, and infectious disease research that used the technology. The Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) agency nixed 22 contracts, including ones with Moderna, Pfizer, and AstraZeneca.

How we got here: Kennedy is a long-time vaccine skeptic who's been especially vocal about mRNA vaccines like Moderna and Pfizer’s COVID-19 shots. He announced the decision on X, calling mRNA “ineffective.”

• Scientists and other experts, including some from the previous Trump administration, immediately criticized Kennedy's decision. They argued that he had no evidence for the move and that his critique would harm the country's ability to prepare for a future pandemic.
• For context, in May, Kennedy cancelled a $790 million contract with Moderna to develop mRNA pandemic vaccines.