The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) terminated over $700 million in federal contracts awarded by the Biden administration to Moderna Inc. for the development of its mRNA-based avian flu vaccine for humans.
The HHS funding was earmarked for a vaccine targeting the H5N1 subtype of avian influenza, which has raised concern in recent months due to its spread in livestock and, in rare cases, humans. The funding was also intended to support the development of vaccines for up to five pandemic-prone influenza subtypes.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), at least 70 people in the U.S., mostly farm workers, have contracted the virus over the past year. The CDC also reports that there is currently no known spread of the virus between humans.
“Cancellation of the nearly billion-dollar contract for a risky mRNA vaccine is good news,” wrote Congressman Thomas Massie in a post on X. “Moderna had 300 people in a bird flu vaccine trial, yet there have only been 70 cases of bird flu in America! It’s almost as if they want to cause more bird flu.”
In a statement to media outlets, an HHS spokesperson explained the decision was made following a comprehensive internal review, which revealed that the initiative did not meet the necessary benchmarks or safety expectations required for continued federal investment.
Despite the funding termination, Moderna says it will continue to pursue the bird flu vaccine project. The company said it would continue seeking alternative funding or partnerships to carry the vaccine candidate through final testing and eventual regulatory submission.
The decision to suspend the vaccine’s development comes amid the national post-pandemic vaccine skepticism that has helped to shape the new administration’s health agenda. While government funding accelerated vaccine creation and distribution during the Covid-19 pandemic, current strategies involve more rigorous safety evaluations and reduced spending.
In Pennsylvania, a recent analysis revealed a major drop in vaccination of school-age children for measles, mumps, and rubella over the past five years. Data from the Pennsylvania Department of Health also indicates a notable increase in vaccine exemption requests at public schools.
If you see a sick or dead bird in your neighborhood, don’t touch it! It could have died from bird flu. Instead, call the Pennsylvania Game Commission at 1-833-PGC-WILD. Learn more: https://t.co/FvIwVzwVJt.
— Philadelphia Public Health (@PHLPublicHealth) April 10, 2025
Amid ongoing debate about a human vaccine for H5N1, those working in the egg industry are more interested in using vaccines to combat the deadly outbreaks ravaging their flocks. Last week, one of the nation’s largest egg producers reportedly lost 6 million birds to the virus – a number that amounts to 95% of the company’s bird population.
The H5N1 outbreak has added pressure to Pennsylvania’s robust poultry industry, which includes over 7,000 farms and surpassed dairy in 2024 as the state’s top agricultural industry. So far, however, no human cases have been reported in the Commonwealth.
