Senator Hassan Seeks Analysis of Public Health Consequences of Secretary Kennedy’s mRNA Research Cuts

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Maggie Hassan (D-NH) is requesting an independent analysis of the potential health and economic costs of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s abrupt cancellation of nearly $500 million in mRNA-related research and development contracts. The Secretary's decision, which he justified with baseless claims that mRNA vaccines are ineffective, terminated funding for research that could be used to develop treatments and cures for deadly diseases, including cancer. In a letter to the Center for Infectious Disease Modeling and Analysis at the Yale School of Public Health, Senator Hassan is seeking a comprehensive assessment of how Secretary Kennedy's abandonment of mRNA research could impact American lives and health.

"I am deeply concerned about the impacts of the Secretary's decision to cease mRNA research, especially for Americans of all ages who live with cancer and other diseases that could soon be treated or even cured with mRNA," wrote Senator Hassan. "The mRNA vaccine platform is one of the most powerful new medical technologies to be discovered and used in the last decade."

"If HHS follows through on its plan to fully divest from the mRNA vaccine platform, Americans will lose out on cures for deadly diseases that are otherwise within our reach," continued Senator Hassan. "Given the proven therapeutic potential of mRNA vaccines, divesting from mRNA will likely mean that more Americans will needlessly fall sick or lose their lives in the coming years."

Senator Hassan has spoken out about the dangers that Secretary Kennedy poses to the health and safety of Americans and has called for his resignation. Senator Hassan recently called out Secretary Kennedy at a Senate hearing for making it harder for Americans to get vaccinated. She has also pushed Kennedy during multiple hearings and delivered remarks on the Senate floor highlighting the ways in which Kennedy's abandonment of his prior support for reproductive freedom, lack of knowledge about the basics of the health care programs that he would oversee, and history of promoting dangerous anti-vaccine conspiracy theories put the health and safety of Americans at risk.

Click here to read Senator Hassan's letter to Yale's Center for Infectious Disease Modeling and Analysis, or see below:

Dear Director Galvani,

On August 5, 2025, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced that it would cease investment in messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccine research and development. The Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) subsequently cancelled 22 contracts totaling more than $500 million in research and development for the mRNA vaccine platform. I am deeply concerned about the impacts of the Secretary's decision to cease mRNA research, especially for Americans of all ages who live with cancer and other diseases that could soon be treated or even cured with mRNA.

The mRNA vaccine platform is one of the most powerful new medical technologies to be discovered and used in the last decade. While most vaccines use deactivated germs to produce an immune response, mRNA vaccines carry instructions to our cells on how to fight a given disease. This makes mRNA an invaluable tool that can be quickly and effectively adapted to target a range of pathogens and conditions. After President Trump's Operation Warp Speed led to the development of the lifesaving COVID-19 vaccines, researchers have discovered the potential for mRNA to protect against a range of diseases.

In particular, recent clinical advancements have shown tremendous potential for mRNA to revolutionize cancer treatment and prevention. Clinical trials are demonstrating that mRNA vaccines, especially when combined with existing therapies, can reduce relapse rates and improve outcomes for patients. Researchers across the country are now exploring the potential for mRNA technology to treat a variety of challenging cancers including melanoma, brain, pancreatic, and lung cancers, among others.

If HHS follows through on its plan to fully divest from the mRNA vaccine platform, Americans will lose out on cures for deadly diseases that are otherwise within our reach. Given the proven therapeutic potential of mRNA vaccines, divesting from mRNA will likely mean that more Americans will needlessly fall sick or lose their lives in the coming years. Furthermore, without sustained investment in the mRNA vaccine platform, Americans will lose critical protection from future biological attacks and pandemics.

To help us better understand the impacts of the Administration's divestment from mRNA vaccine development, we are interested in the Center's analysis of the financial and human costs of the United States abandoning this platform. Please respond to the following questions in writing by September 30, 2025:

• Based on data from clinical trials, for which cancers could the United States have mRNA vaccines or immunotherapy treatments available in the near future?

• In the coming years, approximately how many lives could be saved in the United States using mRNA vaccines and immunotherapies?

• What would be the economic cost to the United States (in dollar terms) of ceasing government investment in the mRNA platform?

• How many deaths have been prevented in the United States as a result of immunizations with the mRNA COVID-19 vaccines? What public health benefits might we see if similar mRNA vaccines are developed for other infectious diseases?

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