NIH officials advised removal of mRNA vaccine references

Two senior scientists reported that National Institutes of Health (NIH) officials advised them to remove references to mRNA vaccines from grant applications. This suggests a potential shift away from mRNA research, which has been crucial in developing COVID-19 vaccines. NIH acting Director Matthew Memoli instructed that any mRNA-related grants be reported to higher authorities, indicating a possible reduction in funding for mRNA projects. This follows similar actions regarding other research areas, raising concerns among scientists about the future of their work. The NIH, a key source of biomedical research funding, is under scrutiny from the Trump administration. Some officials believe mRNA vaccine research may be cut, reflecting a broader political climate that questions the safety and efficacy of these vaccines.