$500 million for flu vaccine research was previously authorized by the Trump administration. Jeffrey Taubenberger and Matthew Memoli organized the Generation Gold Standard project funded by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID). They were both promoted to management level by the Trump administration at the National Institutes of Health (NIH)—Memoli as a vice director under Dr. Jay Bhattacharya’s appointment.
The primary focus is to develop a universal flu vaccine against all influenza types to reduce the need for seasonal flu injections. The intervention is based on the inactivation of the whole virus with beta-propiolactone, a compound developed in the mid-twentieth century but largely abandoned in favor of newer platforms due to severe side effects.
Former Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) chief Rick Bright sharply criticized the selection, saying it looked great because it is based on last-generation technologies. Terry Nixon, who is the spokesperson for the Health and Human Services (HHS), explained to reporters in a one-page press release but did not comment on this decision. There has been no comprehensive technical documentation or comparative study that typically accompanies such federal investments, as the project relies on unhelpful news releases. The $ 500 million is intended to come from Project NextGen, which was established as an innovative fund for COVID-19.
There is no in-depth human trial data available. However, the 2022 mouse study suggested the vaccine protected against flu, and early human safety data from 45 subjects noted no serious side effects. According to critics, this financial choice overlooks recent and promising data that are in the late stages of research. There are more than 200 universal flu vaccine options still under investigation, out of which many are using advanced technology, including Messenger RNA (mRNA) and artificial intelligence (AI).
The Taubenberger-Memoli study demonstrated protection in mice but with limited human safety evidence. Memoli’s interim leadership has already eliminated over 800 grants worth more than $ 2 billion and fired more than 1,200 employees from NIH. Taubenberger also stated that without transparency and credible proof, the scientific approach is not enough to support this investment. Paul Friedrichs, an expert, is concerned that such a large amount of money was spent on a flu vaccine that is still in the early stages of development and has limited proof. Ted Ross, working as the chief of global vaccine development at the Cleveland Clinic, has identified the importance of exploring several options.
The lack of data, as well as the exclusion of more advanced vaccine initiatives and potential political benefits, are all factors of concern to scientists and experts. Finally, experts highlighted the need for a universal flu vaccine with a multidimensional and evidence-based approach instead of the old method.
Reference: Allen A. Trump Team’s $500 Million Bet on Old Vaccine Technology Puzzles Scientists. KFF Health News. Published May 5, 2025. Accessed May 6, 2025. Trump Team’s $500 Million Bet on Old Vaccine Technology Puzzles Scientists – KFF Health News
