Moderna bird flu vaccine: US cancels over $700 million funding, prompting concerns
The United States has cancelled over $700 million in funding allocated to Moderna Inc. for the late-stage development of its bird flu vaccine, citing concerns over scientific standards and safety.
The decision, which halts a key project targeting the H5N1 avian influenza strain, marks a notable policy reversal in the nation's pandemic preparedness efforts.
The contract, originally awarded under the Biden administration, included $590 million in January to expand Moderna's clinical trials and explore up to five new influenza subtypes.
An additional $176 million had previously been committed by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) in 2024 to complete development and testing of the mRNA-based vaccine.
Today we announced an update on our investigational pandemic influenza program. Learn more: https://t.co/l2J7ipQ95Q. pic.twitter.com/fcmovMqfmg — Moderna (@moderna_tx) May 28, 2025
Moderna confirmed the cancellation on Wednesday, stating that it still intends to pursue alternative paths for advancing the vaccine's development and manufacturing. Shares of the company remained flat in after-hours trading.
A spokesperson for HHS said a 'comprehensive internal review' had determined the Moderna project no longer met the federal agency's 'scientific standards or safety expectations' to justify continued public investment.
The spokesperson did not provide further detail on the nature of the review's findings.
The decision comes as the H5N1 strain continues to circulate globally, having infected at least 70 people in the past year—primarily farm workers—while also spreading through cattle herds and poultry flocks.
Dr Amesh Adalja, a senior scholar at the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security, criticised the cancellation, warning that the government was 'discarding what could be one of the most effective and rapid tools' to contain a potential outbreak.
He contrasted the move with former President Donald Trump's Operation Warp Speed, which expedited COVID-19 vaccine development.
BREAKING: HHS just killed a $600M Moderna contract for pandemic flu vaccines.
The platform: mRNA—the fastest we have against threats like H5N1.
The reason? RFK Jr.'s skepticism.
The risk? Deadly delays when the next pandemic hits. pic.twitter.com/x89l1vFqQg — Carolyn Barber, MD (@cbarbermd) May 28, 2025
Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has also drawn criticism in recent months for his scepticism of vaccine deployment.
In a controversial television appearance earlier this year, he suggested that poultry farmers should allow avian flu to spread unchecked to observe natural resistance in chickens.
Despite the setback, Moderna reported encouraging interim results from an ongoing mid-stage trial evaluating the safety and immune response of its H5 vaccine candidate.
The company has been relying on revenue from next-generation mRNA vaccines—including its bird flu and COVID-flu combination shots—as demand for its COVID-19 vaccine continues to decline.
The cancellation reflects shifting priorities within the federal government and highlights growing scrutiny of pandemic-related funding decisions made during the previous administration.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Business Recorder
24-07-2025
- Business Recorder
‘Journalists Protection Act' to address problems facing journalists: Mandviwalla
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan People's Party (PPP) Senator Saleem Mandviwalla said the 'Protection of Journalists and Media Professionals (Amendment) Act, 2022' will address the problems including salaries, health, and security under an independent commission. Addressing a news conference at the party's Central Secretariat in Islamabad on Wednesday along with senators, Shahadat Ali Awan and Palwasha Khan, Mandviwalla said the bill will address the problems of salaries, security, health and others of working journalists. He said the Senate had unanimously passed the Protection of Journalists and Media Professionals (Amendment) Act, 2022, which comes into immediate effect. He emphasised that 'this Act is designed to empower journalists and media professionals to resolve their issues without the need to approach courts, police, or legislators.' He said that now the journalists would approach the commission to resolve their problems, adding that all political parties of treasury and opposition benches supported the bill in the Senate. He congratulated the journalistic community on the passage of the bill, stating that 'PPP has always prioritised legislation that benefits people across all sectors of society.' He said PPP always struggled for the rights and protection of workers, low grade employees and journalists. Responding to questions from media persons, Senator Mandviwala confirmed that mechanisms would be put in place to ensure the effective implementation of the journalists' protection law. 'This legislation addresses a wide range of challenges faced by journalists, and if improvements are needed, we are open to amending it further,' he added. 'This is a facilitative — not a regulatory — law for the journalist community,' he clarified. 'The PPP legislates for the welfare of the people,' he said. Senator Mandviwala said that the Senate had also unanimously passed the National Institute of Health (Re-organization) (Amendment) Act, 2024. He underscored the significance of this bill, highlighting Pakistan's lack of a comprehensive cancer patient registry. 'Cancer is a deadly disease, and without data, we cannot understand its true burden. This registry will identify the types of cancer prevalent in different regions and support a national action plan for cancer prevention and treatment.' Addressing questions about cancer patient registration, Senator Mandviwala recalled the inter-provincial cooperation during the Covid-19 pandemic. Provinces can adopt this legislation as well. The cancer registry will help relevant departments analyse accurate and timely data, he said. On the broader political situation, Senator Shahadat Awan addressed questions about the administration of oaths for reserved seats in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly. He clarified that the Constitution clearly outlines the oath-taking process. The chief justice of the Peshawar High Court (PHC) acted constitutionally when he directed the governor to administer the oath, he explained. Responding to a question on the 18th Constitutional Amendment, Senator Awan said that two major constitutional events took place with complete national consensus — the 1973 Constitution and the 18th Amendment. Any attempt to alter the 18th Amendment is out of question, he stressed. Commenting on the events of 9th May 2023, Senator Palwasha Khan described them as 'shameful' and 'an attempt to incite mutiny within the military.' She reiterated that the PPP and its leadership had unequivocally condemned the events. Senator Palwasha also highlighted that President Asif Ali Zardari is the only civilian president to serve a second term in office, expressing full confidence that he will successfully complete his tenure. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Express Tribune
23-07-2025
- Express Tribune
Did Ozzy Osbourne travel to Switzerland for assisted death? Speculation grows after singer's passing
Following the death of legendary musician Ozzy Osbourne, speculation has surfaced online suggesting he may have travelled to Switzerland to undergo assisted end-of-life care. The theory, which has gained traction on social media, remains unconfirmed, but it stems from remarks made by Sharon Osbourne in 2023 during The Osbournes podcast. At the time, she shared that both she and Ozzy had discussed turning to euthanasia should either face unbearable suffering from illness. Their preferred option, she noted, was the Dignitas clinic in Switzerland. This mention has led some to wonder whether the Black Sabbath frontman made the journey before his death. However, his daughter Kelly Osbourne has publicly denied the claim, stating that her father neither requested nor pursued euthanasia. No official cause of death has been disclosed. The Osbourne family confirmed only that Ozzy, aged 76, died peacefully and was surrounded by love. In recent years, he had battled multiple health challenges, including Parkinson's disease, complications from neck injuries, and a COVID-19 infection. Ozzy Osbourne was a pioneer of heavy metal and sold more than 100 million records during his career. From founding Black Sabbath to launching a solo career and becoming a reality TV icon, his influence reached far beyond music. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and honoured with multiple awards. While the details surrounding his death remain private, Ozzy's legacy continues to be celebrated around the world.
Express Tribune
19-07-2025
- Express Tribune
Selling misinformation
Listen to article I was riding my bike, crossing an underpass, when I saw a man struggling to walk with a polio-affected leg. He gestured for a ride, and I stopped to help. As he settled on the seat behind me, I casually asked, "What happened to your leg?" He sighed and replied, "It is because of polio. When I was a child, my parents refused to get me vaccinated. They believed the polio vaccine was haram (forbidden) in Islam, and they had other excuses too — saying it was part of some conspiracy or that it would make me infertile." His words stayed in my mind. A life-changing disability, not by fate but by false information. This is the world we live in today. Influencers, not journalists, are shaping public discourse, and where truth competes with virality, engagement and profit-driven disinformation. The rise of digital content creators has fundamentally changed the way Pakistanis consume information, but not always for the better. Social media was supposed to democratise access to information, but instead, it has weaponised misinformation and disinformation, often at the cost of public health, democracy and social harmony. Unlike trained journalists who work under editorial scrutiny, influencers operate with zero accountability. They claim expertise on everything from politics to vaccines and yet, a majority of them do not verify their content before posting. A recent UNESCO report on digital content creators found that 42% of influencers determine credibility based on engagement rather than verification. The study also revealed that 59% of them have little or no knowledge of regulations on digital communication. In short, they are influencing millions without any understanding of the responsibility that comes with it. Pakistan has already witnessed the deadly consequences of information disorder. The tragic lynching of Mashal Khan in 2017, fueled by false blasphemy accusations on social media, was a scary reminder of how a single unchecked narrative can destroy a life. During the COVID-19 pandemic, fake news about vaccine side effects undermined national immunisation efforts, delaying progress in combating the virus. Political misinformation, especially during elections, has fueled distrust and unrest. Influencers tied to interest groups amplify such narratives to boost engagement, weakening public trust in democratic institutions. A question arises. Why do they do it? The answer is simple: misinformation is profitable. Social media rewards controversy and outrage. The more sensational content, the more engagement it attracts. And engagement equals money, whether through brand endorsements, YouTube monetization or political sponsorships. The UNESCO study found that 52% of influencers create sponsored content, but nearly half fail to disclose their funding sources. This raises a critical ethical dilemma: are they shaping public opinion independently, or are they merely puppets for those who pay them? Countering this growing crisis requires more than just calling out fake news. The UNESCO Guidelines for the Governance of Digital Platforms emphasise the need for transparency, accountability and digital literacy. Pakistan must enforce stricter policies on algorithmic accountability, ensuring that platforms disclose how they amplify misinformation. Fact-checking institutions must be strengthened, and media literacy programmes integrated into education curricula. Most importantly, Right to Information (RTI) laws must be fully enforced, ensuring proactive disclosure of certified information to minimise reliance on unreliable sources. But while regulating misinformation is essential, Pakistan's latest approach to countering fake news is deeply flawed and dangerously authoritarian. Instead of addressing digital literacy and algorithmic responsibility, the government has introduced draconian amendments to the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA), criminalising "false and fake information" with penalties of up to three years in prison. At first glance, a law targeting disinformation may seem necessary. After all, misinformation is a serious problem. But who decides what is "fake" news? The state now claims the power to determine the truth; and in a country where press freedom is already under threat, this law is a clear attempt to silence dissent rather than counter disinformation. The PECA amendment expands the definition of a complainant, allowing government institutions and corporations to file cases against journalists and citizens alike. This means any critical reporting on the government or judiciary could be deemed "false" and punished. It further establishes a social media Regulatory Authority with unchecked powers, making the government both the judge and the jury in matters of digital content. Such broad definitions are ripe for abuse. Under this law, a journalist reporting on corruption or human rights violations could be jailed if the government deems the information "misleading". A citizen tweeting about inflation, censorship or political repression could face criminal charges if their post considered as "causes unrest". This is not about countering fake news; it is about controlling the narrative. History has repeatedly shown that censorship does not tackle misinformation. The answer to fake news is not imprisonment but education, transparency and effective fact-checking mechanisms. Instead of silencing journalists and citizens, Pakistan must hold social media platforms accountable for their role in amplifying disinformation. Instead of silencing voices, we need to invest in media literacy programmes to empower people to distinguish fact from fiction. The digital battlefield is real, and Pakistan stands at a crossroads. Do we fight fake news through education and regulation of tech platforms, or do we surrender to state-controlled truth? The future of our democracy, governance and freedom of expression depends on this choice.
