The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has announced the termination of 22 contracts worth approximately $500 million related to mRNA vaccine research and development under its Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA). This decision marks a strategic shift away from mRNA vaccine platforms for respiratory viruses including COVID-19 and influenza. The move has drawn criticism from experts who warn it undermines rapid pandemic response capabilities. HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. justified the cancellation by citing perceived ineffectiveness of mRNA vaccines against upper respiratory infections, despite extensive clinical evidence to the contrary. This policy pivot has sparked significant debate within the biotech and public health communities, indicating a setback for advanced vaccine technology development in the U.S.