The termination of the 22 BARDA contracts follows a several-weeks-long internal review to determine a path forward when it comes to these investments. "We reviewed the science, listened to the experts, and acted," HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said Tuesday. "BARDA is terminating 22 mRNA vaccine development investments becauseWe're shifting that funding toward safer, broader vaccine platforms that remain effective even as viruses mutate. "A single mutation can make mRNA vaccines ineffective," Kebbedy added, noting that the same risks also apply to the flu virus.The move to cancel the mRNA contracts under BARDA will not entirely cancel all mRNA vaccine research done by the government, a source familiar with the move indicated. "That's why we're moving beyond the limitations of mRNA for respiratory viruses and investing in better solutions."