The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has announced the cancellation of 22 contracts worth nearly $500 million linked to mRNA vaccine development, including projects with industry leaders Moderna, Pfizer, and CSL Seqirus. HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. stated these vaccines failed to provide effective protection against upper respiratory infections such as COVID-19 and influenza. This policy pivot shifts funding toward older and broader vaccine platforms that may retain efficacy despite viral mutations. Experts in the field have criticized the decision as a major setback to ongoing vaccine innovation and pandemic preparedness, noting the proven safety and rapid adaptability of mRNA technology during the COVID-19 pandemic.