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Indian-American lawmakers decry RFK Jr.'s mRNA vaccine contract cuts
He claimed mRNA vaccines weren't effective against certain infections, and cancelled at least $500 million in funding.
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Jeffin T. Kaleekal - Wed, 06, Aug 2025
- 23:46 EDT
- 17
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(From left) Rep. Ami Bera, Rep. Pramila Jayapal, Rep. Shri Thanedar / X/@Ami Bera, X@RepPramilaJayapal, X@Shri Thanedar
Indian-American Democrats have sharply criticized the Trump administration’s abrupt decision to cancel nearly $500 million in mRNA vaccine development funding, calling it dangerous, unscientific, and a threat to public health.
Rep. Dr. Ami Bera, a Congressman who served as a doctor for over 20 years, claimed that RFK Jr's decision was "not rooted in science". He further asserted that, "Vaccines developed using mRNA technology saved millions of lives during the COVID-19 pandemic."
Talking about the cancellation of contracts by the Department, he said, "Canceling nearly $500 million in mRNA vaccine funding undermines our public health readiness, weakens our national security, and abandons the very innovation that helped lead us out of the deadliest public health crisis in a century."
RFK Jr.’s claims about mRNA vaccines are not grounded in science.
— Ami Bera, M.D. (@RepBera) August 6, 2025
Vaccines developed using mRNA technology saved millions of lives during the COVID-19 pandemic.
This groundbreaking technology remains one of our most powerful tools to prevent future pandemics and develop… pic.twitter.com/9Za7WKpuBl
Rep. Pramila Jayapal also echoed similar sentiments and described the decision as "absolutely horrifying”.
Jayapal further said that the cancellation of vaccine contracts was a “complete malpractice that will lead to countless preventable American deaths”.
ALSO READ: Rep. Jayapal introduces resolution to increase U.S. health aid
Complete malpractice that will lead to countless preventable American deaths.
— Rep. Pramila Jayapal (@RepJayapal) August 6, 2025
Absolutely horrifying. https://t.co/Guk2bdbJam
Congressman Shri Thanedar pointed out the devastating nature of the decision and said, "Kennedy’s claims aren’t just false—they’re deadly."
Thanedar also trained his guns at the Trump administration and said, "For this administration, facts are the enemy. Their war on truth is putting America at risk."
Kennedy’s claims aren’t just false—they’re deadly.
— Congressman Shri Thanedar (@RepShriThanedar) August 6, 2025
For this administration, facts are the enemy. Their war on truth is putting America at risk.https://t.co/iBkt3wqWvf
Their remarks came in response to an Aug. 5 notice from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announcing the termination of 22 grants and contracts related to mRNA vaccine development.
HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. said in a statement, "We reviewed the science, listened to the experts, and acted."
He noted, "BARDA (Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority) 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 safer, broader vaccine platforms that remain effective even as viruses mutate."
mRNA vaccines deliver a small piece of genetic code that instructs cells to produce a harmless viral protein, triggering an immune response. This trains the body to recognize and fight the actual virus without causing illness. It was first used during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Unlike traditional vaccines, mRNA shots can be made within months and quickly altered as the virus changes. The technology won a Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 2023.
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