"Never Has America Been More Vulnerable" — People Are Horrified After RFK Jr. Announced He's Cutting $500 Million In Funding For mRNA Vaccines

I’m not sure if you’ve heard, but everyone’s least favorite Health and Human Services Secretary, RFK Jr., recently announced that he’s canceling $500 million in funding for mRNA vaccine development.

mRNA vaccines, which stand for messenger ribonucleic acid (RNA), are

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mRNA vaccines, which stand for messenger ribonucleic acid (RNA), are “highly effective” and “safe,” according to the National Council on Aging, a nonprofit organization that works to improve the health of older adults in the US.

According to the Cleveland Clinic, the mRNA vaccine helps teach your body to fight infectious diseases. More specifically, mRNA technology is utilized in the COVID-19 vaccine, which infectious disease experts say is what helped to slow the 2020 COVID-19 outbreak in the US.

Scientist in a lab coat examines a specimen under a microscope, surrounded by lab equipment and colorful solutions

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In a now-viral X video, RFK Jr. tried to explain the funding cuts saying, “HHS has determined that mRNA technology poses more risk than benefits for these respiratory viruses.”

We reviewed the science, listened to the experts, and acted. BARDA is terminating 22 mRNA vaccine development investments because the data show these vaccines fail to protect effectively against upper respiratory infections like COVID and flu. We’re shifting that funding toward… pic.twitter.com/GPKbuU7ywN

— Secretary Kennedy (@SecKennedy) August 5, 2025

Twitter: @SecKennedy

According to CBS News, RFK Jr. reiterated that “HHS supports safe, effective vaccines for every American who wants them.”

In response to the news, Mike Osterholm, a University of Minnesota expert on infectious diseases and pandemic preparations, recently said it’s “one of the worst decisions I’ve seen in 50 years of public health preparedness work.”

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. listens during an event on Health Technology

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Following these vaccine funding cuts, millions have expressed deep concern for the future of medicine, as well as the impact of future pandemics in the US. Here’s how medical professionals, lawmakers, and citizens are reacting:

Commonly, people threw some personal digs at RFK Jr., with one person calling him a “despicable quack.”

A man in a suit gives a press briefing with a U.S. Department of Health and Human Services backdrop, discussing vaccine funding termination @CathyYoung63 / @SecKennedy / Via x.com

…and a pediatric MD calling him an “anti-vaxx weirdo.”

Tweet by Alastair McAlpine, MD, criticizing an anti-vaccination stance for increasing vulnerability by shutting down protective technologies @AlastairMcA30 / Via x.com

While other medical professionals directly contradicted RFK Jr.’s claims about the mRNA vaccine, calling them “simply false.”

A tweet by Jake Scott discussing an HHS claim on mRNA vaccine risks, featuring a video of RFK Jr. on a news backdrop with American flags @jakescottMD / Fox News / Via x.com

And called out RFK Jr.’s “fundamental misunderstanding of immunology.”

Tweet by Jake Scott, MD, explaining that mRNA vaccines aim to prevent severe disease, not all infections. Vaccines have been effective in this role

Another infectious disease doctor argued that RFK Jr.’s decision came from “ideology” and “online anti vax talking points.”

Tweet claims RFK Jr. is withdrawing funding for mRNA vaccines due to ideology; notes mRNA vaccines' effectiveness and labels him anti-vaccine fanatic

Healthcare worker administers a vaccine to a seated man, both wearing masks, in a bright room with large windows in the background

Lacheev / Getty Images

And this medical professional and health writer called mRNA vaccines “one of the most important tools we have for preventing future pandemics.”

Tweet by Dr. Lucky Tran emphasizes the importance of mRNA vaccines for future pandemics and criticizes RFK Jr. for cutting mRNA research funding

Another person expressed their anger about “throwing away” years of research:

Tweet discussing the cancellation of $500 million in vaccine development and the impact on medical research @ReichlinMelnick / Via x.com A medical professional prepares an IV bag while a patient rests in a chair in a healthcare setting

Andresr / Getty Images

Even politicians have weighed in, with Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock calling the funding cuts a “tragedy.”

Tweet by Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock criticizing Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s decision to cancel $500 million in vaccine projects @SenatorWarnock / @Phil_Lewis_ / Via x.com

“Whatever your reason for not voting or voting 3rd party, I promise it wasn’t worth destroying our country over,” this person wrote.

Screenshot of a tweet criticizing the decision to cancel $500 million in vaccine development projects, linking it to voting choices @trouble_man90 / @Phil_Lewis_ / Via x.com

And this person made a scary observation, writing: “A diseased population is easier to control…”

Screenshot of a tweet from Ruth Ben-Ghiat quoting Philip Lewis; Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to cancel $500 million in vaccine projects @2ruthbenghiat / @Phil_Lewis_ / Via x.com

And finally, this Reddit user summed up what many are feeling: “Imagine being so privileged to have lived in a tiny slice of human history when MILLIONS of people have been spared from pyrogens at the hands of vaccines……only to be somehow convinced the answer to the threat humanity faces going forward is to stop researching the most proven and effective medicine mankind has ever known.”

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