'DANGEROUS DECISION': Trump shamed by health experts for reckless cut of vaccine research money

Public Health & Policy Concerns - Experts warn that cutting funding for mRNA technology could lead to preventable deaths and endanger national security [1][3][7] - A former biodefense official stated the decision endangers US national security, while another health official called the policy irresponsible, comparing it to taking the country from 2025 back to 1940 [3] - An esteemed epidemiologist described the decision to cut mRNA vaccine funding as "the most dangerous decision in public health" in his 50 years of experience [8] mRNA Technology & Vaccine Development - mRNA technology has saved over 2 million lives by enabling rapid development of COVID-19 vaccines [1] - Continued research in mRNA technology could enable the production of enough vaccine for the world's population within 8-10 months during a pandemic, compared to the current embryated chicken egg approach which would take years and only cover less than 25% of the global population in the first 18 months [10][11] - mRNA technology has potential applications beyond pandemic vaccines, including vaccines for other infectious diseases and cancer [12] - Further research could improve existing mRNA vaccines, making them more effective at preventing infection and transmission, not just severe illness, hospitalization, and death [14][15] Political & Administrative Issues - The decision to cancel approximately $500 million in mRNA technology contracts was attributed to Health Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr [4] - There are conflicting justifications for cutting mRNA vaccine funding, with Kennedy Jr claiming mRNA vaccines are not beneficial and dangerous, while the head of the NIH suggested it was due to a lack of public faith in the technology [17][18]