Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) Robert F. Kennedy Jr. put the brakes on a multi-million dollar contract with the American biotech company Vaxart to create a new COVID-19 vaccine, Fox News Digital reported.
Kennedy on Feb. 21 issued a 90-day stop-work order on the contract until HHS determines whether it is “prudent and safe” to continue. The order came just as the next phase of the company’s clinical trial, involving 10,000 participants, was set to start on Monday.
In this phase of the trial, the company is planning to test the efficacy of its vaccine against existing mRNA vaccines, bypassing a placebo-controlled assessment.
“While it is crucial that the Department [of] Health and Human Services (HHS) support pandemic preparedness, four years of the Biden administration’s failed oversight have made it necessary to review agreements for vaccine production, including Vaxart’s,” Kennedy told Fox News Digital.
“I look forward to working with Vaxart and medical experts to ensure this work produces safe, effective, and fiscal-minded vaccine technology,” he said.
Fox News Digital reported that the trial is only paused, not terminated. HHS will decide whether to resume development of the vaccine within the next 90 days....