USA Develops Universal Vaccine from Old Method
- Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced Thursday a plan to pursue a "universal vaccine" utilizing deactivated viruses, a strategy that marks a potential shift away from...
- According to a department statement, the initiative "represents a decisive change towards clarity, efficacy and integral preparation." The goal is to develop vaccines offering protection against multiple viral...
- Citing internal emails,The Wall Street Journal reports that the plan involves a $500 million investment.
U.S. Health Department Eyes Global Vaccine Using Older Methods
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WASHINGTON (May 1, 2025) – The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced Thursday a plan to pursue a “universal vaccine” utilizing deactivated viruses, a strategy that marks a potential shift away from the newer, mRNA-based immunization technologies that gained prominence during the recent pandemic.
Aiming for Broad Protection
According to a department statement, the initiative ”represents a decisive change towards clarity, efficacy and integral preparation.” The goal is to develop vaccines offering protection against multiple viral strains with pandemic potential, including H5N1 avian flu, as well as coronaviruses such as MERS, SARS-CoV-1, and SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for COVID-19.
Investment and shifting Priorities
Citing internal emails,The Wall Street Journal reports that the plan involves a $500 million investment. This comes at a time when the Department of Health is reportedly facing budget cuts and personnel reductions.
Replacing Nextgen
The new project,spearheaded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH),is positioned to potentially replace Nextgen,a $5 billion initiative from the previous administration. The health department has reportedly labeled Nextgen a ”waste” following Donald Trump’s return to office in January.
Deactivated Viruses: A Return to the Past?
The core of the new project involves creating a single vaccine effective against different strains of the same virus,using complete,deactivated viruses. This method, common in flu vaccines decades ago, has largely fallen out of favor due to side effects such as pain and fever, particularly in children.
Expert Concerns
Some experts have voiced concerns that this renewed focus on older techniques could potentially slow down research into newer immunization technologies. There are also worries that the side effects associated with deactivated virus vaccines could erode public trust in vaccinations generally.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the U.S. Health secretary, has a history of expressing controversial opinions regarding vaccines.
Universal Vaccine: A Deep Dive into the Latest HHS Initiative
Here’s a breakdown of the recent announcement by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) concerning a new universal vaccine:
What is a Universal Vaccine?
A universal vaccine, as described in the HHS plan, is designed to protect against multiple strains of a virus or even different viruses within the same viral family. The goal is to provide broader protection compared to traditional vaccines that target specific strains.
what is the HHS Initiative?
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced a plan to develop a “universal vaccine” using deactivated viruses. This initiative marks a distinct shift in approach, moving away from newer mRNA-based technologies that played a key role during the recent pandemic.
What Viruses Will this Vaccine Target?
The initiative aims to create vaccines that can protect against a range of viruses with pandemic potential including:
H5N1 avian flu
Coronaviruses, such as MERS, SARS-cov-1, and SARS-CoV-2 (the virus causing COVID-19).
Why is HHS Investing in a Universal Vaccine Now?
according to the article, the HHS initiative “represents a decisive change towards clarity, efficacy, and integral planning.” The motivation stems from the need to develop vaccines offering protection against multiple viral strains to prepare for future pandemics.
How Much is Being Invested in This Project?
The U.S. government is investing $500 million in the growth of this universal vaccine.
What Kind of Vaccine Technology Will be Used?
The initiative will utilize deactivated viruses. This method involves using complete, deactivated viruses to