Staff at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases were directed to remove references to 'biodefense' and 'pandemic preparedness' from web pages as NIAID undergoes a strategic shift under NIH leadership. Director Jay Bhattacharya described a restructure emphasizing basic immunology and infections currently affecting Americans while deprioritizing research framed as future pandemic prediction. The move impacts roughly one‑third of NIAID’s $6.6 billion budget historically tied to emerging pathogens, biodefense and preparedness activities, according to internal sources. Some researchers warned the change could reduce US readiness for evolving zoonotic threats; NIH spokespeople said the new vision sharpens focus on near‑term infectious disease and immunology challenges. The directive signals a significant regulatory and funding realignment within the US biomedical research apparatus with potential consequences for surveillance, countermeasure development and long‑term pathogen monitoring programs.