US Cancels $600M Bird Flu Vaccine Contract: Scientists Baffled Amidst Political Turmoil

The United States' recent cancellation of a nearly $600 million contract with Moderna to develop a bird flu vaccine has sent ripples of confusion through the scientific community. The decision, announced on May 29th, 2025, comes just weeks after the Trump administration launched "Project Generation Gold," an initiative to create a universal flu vaccine using older technology. This juxtaposition has led to questions regarding transparency and the potential influence of political considerations in public health decisions. "This to me is kind of odd," said Dr. Rubin, a pediatrician and allergist featured in a recent TikTok video discussing the issue. The video also highlights the reported attempts by Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Dr. Oz to prevent the culling of 400 ostriches infected with H5N1 bird flu in British Columbia, Canada. While the reasons behind the Moderna contract cancellation remain unclear, the confluence of these events underscores the complex interplay between science, politics, and public health.