U.S. government freezes $240M COVID vaccine contract with Vaxart, signaling shift from rapid development to careful evaluation of safety and spending over 90-day review period.
The story
Before, the U.S. government poured billions into COVID vaccine development through Project NextGen. They handed out contracts without much public discussion, including $240 million to Vaxart Inc. for an oral vaccine. Clinical trials were set for 10,000 people, with money flowing through federal agencies.
Now, everything’s on pause. The Department of Health and Human Services hit the brakes on that $240 million contract. For the next 90 days, they’re taking a closer look at vaccine safety and whether the spending makes sense. This follows a pattern – like when federal funding was blocked for schools requiring COVID shots.
This pause means real change. No more rushing ahead with vaccine projects. No more automatic funding. The government’s stepping back to ask tough questions about safety and necessity. For the first time since 2020, they’re seriously reconsidering their role in vaccine development.
It’s too early to say if this 90-day pause will turn into a complete exit from vaccine funding. But one thing’s clear – the days of endless spending on COVID shots might be coming to an end. The focus now seems to be on careful review rather than rapid development at any cost.
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