By Micah Jonah
February 24, 2026
US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner, Marty Makary defended the agency’s stance on mRNA vaccines on Monday, emphasizing that while the FDA supports the technology, American taxpayers should not bear the cost of research.
Makary spoke at a press event unveiling a FDA framework to accelerate approval of gene therapies for rare diseases. He highlighted that the FDA has approved two mRNA vaccines for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) one from Moderna and another from GSK and said he would like to see further data on mRNA applications for cancer and other conditions.
Addressing questions about a perceived contradiction about embracing gene therapy but cutting mRNA vaccine funding, Makary clarified: “We’ve approved mRNA vaccines, and the companies behind them can fund their own research. Government resources should focus on underfunded areas, like rare diseases and bespoke treatments.”
The Commissioner defended the Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) 2025 decision to end over $700 million in funding for Moderna’s pandemic-potential mRNA vaccine program, citing that companies had already profited significantly from COVID-19 vaccines.
Makary stressed that funding decisions were not a rejection of mRNA technology, but a shift towards areas where public support is most needed. “It’s not because we don’t believe in mRNA technology. Companies making these vaccines earned over $50 billion. They can fund research without taxpayer money,” he said.
Moderna, Pfizer, and BioNTech developed mRNA COVID-19 vaccines during the pandemic, with Pfizer/BioNTech self-funding their program while Moderna received government support. Makary emphasized the importance of directing public funding toward conditions that have been historically neglected in medical research.
