NIH Directs Scientists to Remove mRNA Vaccine References, Raising Fears of Research Cuts

Under HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the NIH is scrutinizing mRNA vaccine research, prompting concerns among scientists about the future of lifesaving technology.

• Scientists report being instructed by NIH officials to exclude mRNA vaccine references from grant applications, signaling a potential shift in research priorities.
• The NIH is reviewing all grants and collaborations involving mRNA vaccines, with oversight from HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and the White House.
• Researchers fear imminent funding cuts to mRNA vaccine studies, which have been pivotal in combating COVID-19 and advancing treatments for other diseases.
• The Trump administration's broader scrutiny of NIH spending aligns with state-level legislative efforts to ban or limit mRNA vaccines.
• Kennedy's handling of public health issues, including a measles outbreak, has drawn criticism, intensifying concerns about his stance on vaccine research.

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