RFK Jr. halts oral COVID-19 vaccine trials, prioritizing safety over speed
By isabelle // 2025-02-27
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  • HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. halted a $453 million contract with Vaxart, pausing an oral COVID-19 vaccine trial to prioritize safety and fiscal responsibility.
  • The pause affects 10,000 Americans set to begin trials under Biden’s $4.7 billion Project NextGen initiative.
  • Concerns over adenovirus-based vaccines, linked to severe side effects, drove the decision to reevaluate safety and efficacy.
  • Kennedy’s move aims to restore trust in public health by prioritizing safety over speed and corporate interests.
Newly appointed Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has issued a 90-day stop-work order on a $453 million contract with biotech company Vaxart, halting the development of an oral COVID-19 vaccine in a bold move that underscores his commitment to public health and fiscal responsibility. The decision came just days before 10,000 Americans were set to begin clinical trials for the vaccine, part of the Biden administration’s $4.7 billion Project NextGen initiative. Kennedy’s action reflects a growing concern over the safety and oversight of COVID-19 vaccines, as well as a determination to ensure taxpayer dollars are spent wisely. The pause is not a termination but a necessary step to reevaluate the vaccine’s safety and efficacy. Kennedy, a vocal advocate for rigorous vaccine testing, has made it clear that his priority is to protect public health, not rush untested products to market. “While it is crucial that the Department of Health and Human Services 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 said in a statement.

A troubling legacy of vaccine side effects

The decision to halt the Vaxart trials comes amid mounting evidence of adverse effects linked to COVID-19 vaccines. From blood clotting disorders to neurological complications, the long-term consequences of these vaccines remain largely unknown. Kennedy’s move signals a shift away from the Biden administration’s aggressive push for rapid vaccine development, which critics argue prioritized speed over safety. Vaxart’s oral vaccine, which uses an adenovirus vector to deliver genetic material to the small intestine, has raised concerns among health experts. While the company claims its pill is a “transformational, next-generation approach to global vaccination,” similar adenovirus-based vaccines, such as those produced by Johnson & Johnson and AstraZeneca, have been pulled from the market due to severe side effects, including blood clotting disorders. Kennedy’s decision to pause the trials reflects a broader skepticism about the safety of adenovirus-based vaccines. As Children’s Health Defense Senior Research Scientist Karl Jablonowski noted, “Two adenovirus-based COVID vaccines have already been pulled from the market because they were remarkably unsafe, yet passed initial—and clearly insufficient—safety standards.”

A welcome pause for reflection

The stop-work order is a rare moment of accountability in a field often dominated by corporate interests. Vaxart, which had already received $240 million in federal funding, was poised to invoice the government for an additional $230 million to cover the costs of the 10,000-person trial. Kennedy’s intervention ensures that no further taxpayer dollars will be spent until the vaccine’s safety and efficacy are thoroughly reviewed. This pause is not just about one vaccine; it’s about restoring trust in public health institutions. For too long, the American people have been subjected to rushed and poorly vetted medical interventions. Kennedy’s leadership offers a glimmer of hope that someone in power is finally willing to prioritize safety over speed. Kennedy’s decision to halt the Vaxart trials is a testament to his commitment to transparency and fiscal responsibility. It also marks a significant departure from the Biden administration’s approach, which often seemed more focused on meeting arbitrary deadlines than ensuring public safety. As the nation grapples with the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, Kennedy’s leadership offers a chance to rebuild trust in our public health system. By taking the time to thoroughly review the Vaxart vaccine, he is sending a clear message that the health and well-being of the American people must always come first. In a world where corporate profits often take precedence over public health, Kennedy’s actions are a refreshing reminder that accountability and transparency are not just ideals—they are necessities. As the 90-day review period begins, under Kennedy’s leadership, the Department of Health and Human Services is finally putting the public’s interests ahead of politics and profit.   Sources for this article include: X.com FoxNews.com ChildrensHealthDefense.org
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