Trump Administration Puts Pause on Biden’s COVID-19 Vaccine Project Amid Oversight Concerns

Trump Administration Puts Pause on Biden’s COVID-19 Vaccine Project Amid Oversight Concerns

FIRST ON FOX: The Department of Health and Human Services has suspended a multimillion-dollar contract initiated by the Biden administration for the development of a new COVID-19 vaccine. This decision comes from Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., as confirmed by Fox News Digital.

Kennedy expressed the necessity for the Department of Health and Human Services to bolster pandemic preparedness. He noted that years of inadequate oversight under the Biden administration prompted the need to review vaccine production agreements, particularly with Vaxart Inc., the American biotech firm involved in this project.

The Health Secretary stated, “While it is crucial that the Department support pandemic preparedness, four years of the Biden administration’s failed oversight have made it necessary to review agreements for vaccine production, including Vaxart’s.” He added, “I look forward to working with Vaxart and medical experts to ensure this work produces safe, effective, and fiscally responsible vaccine technology.”

Stop-Work Order Issued

Kennedy issued a 90-day stop-work order on Friday concerning the HHS’s contract with Vaxart, which has been tasked with creating an oral COVID-19 vaccine. The halt in progress comes as preparations were underway for 10,000 individuals to start clinical trials the following Monday.

This action pauses the ongoing trial without termination, allowing Kennedy and his team to evaluate the initial study findings over a 90-day period. This review could shape the future direction of the vaccine project.

A Closer Look at Project NextGen

The development of this new COVID-19 vaccine aligns with the Biden administration’s overarching Project NextGen initiative, which was authorized with a budget of $4.7 billion in 2023. This strategic program aims to expedite the development of novel vaccines and technologies. The agreement with Vaxart garnered significant funding from the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), which operates under the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response within HHS.

BARD has committed approximately $460 million to support Vaxart’s vaccine development, with an impressive $240 million already allocated for preliminary studies, as documented by Fox News Digital.

Contract Modifications and Financial Implications

A recent amendment to the agreement would have permitted Vaxart to seek reimbursement from BARDA for an anticipated remaining budget of around $230 million for clinical trials. However, the newly instated stop-work order curtails the biotech company’s ability to invoice BARDA until further notice. Nevertheless, Vaxart is still permitted to invoice HHS for medical monitoring costs related to participants of earlier trials.

Political Context and Recent Developments

This pause comes less than two weeks after Kennedy’s official confirmation as the 26th Secretary of Health and Human Services. Coinciding with his inauguration, President Donald Trump enacted an executive order establishing the Make America Healthy Again Commission. The commission, which Kennedy leads, aims to explore the underlying factors contributing to the nation’s escalating health crisis.

In its early phase, the commission will focus on chronic childhood diseases, including autism, as part of its investigative efforts.

Controversy Surrounding Kennedy

Kennedy, who previously sought the Democratic presidential nomination in 2024 before dropping out to support Trump, has faced scrutiny over perceived anti-vaccine sentiments, which he has persistently refuted. He clarified his stance during Senate confirmation hearings, asserting, “I worked for years to raise awareness about mercury and toxic chemicals in fish, and nobody called me anti-fish.”

Regarding vaccines, Kennedy emphasized, “I believe that vaccines play a critical role in healthcare. All of my kids are vaccinated. I’ve read many books on vaccines. My first book in 2014 states, ‘I am not anti-vaccine,’ and the last line reiterates the same message.” He further articulated his support for American agriculture, declaring, “American farms are the bedrock of our culture, of our politics, of our national security.”

The Broader Impact of Vaccine Mandates

Under the Biden administration, COVID-19 vaccination was mandated across federal sectors. Numerous private businesses followed suit, resulting in widespread backlash as workers faced job repercussions for refusing the vaccine. Upon reentering the Oval Office in January, Trump signed multiple executive orders addressing previous vaccine mandates, including the reinstatement of military personnel who had been dismissed for noncompliance and prohibiting federal funding for vaccine mandates in educational institutions.

What’s Next for Vaccine Development?

As the 90-day review period commences, stakeholders will be keenly watching for the outcomes of the assessment. The future of Vaxart’s project hinges on the findings and decisions made by Kennedy and his team. This development highlights not only the ongoing complexities surrounding vaccine technology and public health strategies but also the intricate interplay of politics and healthcare policy in the United States.