The Biden administration's plan to create a new COVID-19 vaccine has hit a roadblock.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the new Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services, has paused a multimillion-dollar contract with biotech company Vaxart Inc.
The contract was part of the administration's $4.7 billion Project NextGen initiative, which aims to streamline the development of new vaccines.
What's Behind the Pause?
Kennedy has issued a 90-day stop-work order, citing the need to review agreements for vaccine production due to the previous administration's "failed oversight."
The move comes as 10,000 individuals were set to begin clinical trials for the new vaccine, which can be taken orally.
The trial is not terminated, but rather paused, allowing Kennedy and other health officials to examine the study's initial findings before deciding on next steps.
A New Era for Health and Human Services
The pause on the vaccine contract comes just under two weeks after Kennedy was confirmed and sworn in as the nation's 26th chief of HHS.
On the same day, President Donald Trump signed an executive order creating the Make America Healthy Again Commission, led by Kennedy.
The commission aims to investigate and address the root causes of America's escalating health crisis, with an initial focus on chronic childhood diseases like autism.
Controversy Surrounding Kennedy's Vaccine Stance
Kennedy has faced criticism for his alleged anti-vaccine stance, which he has repeatedly denied.
During his Senate confirmation hearings, he emphasized the importance of vaccines in healthcare and noted that all his children are vaccinated.
Despite this, the pause on the vaccine contract has sparked debate and raised questions about the future of COVID-19 vaccine development.
What's Next?
The stop-work order prevents Vaxart from invoicing the government for the remaining $230 million allocated for clinical trials.
However, the company can still invoice HHS for medical monitoring of individuals who participated in initial trials.
As the 90-day review period begins, Kennedy and other health officials will scrutinize the study's findings and determine the next steps for the vaccine's development.
