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Kennedy Unveils TrialBlazer After Canceling mRNA Contracts

7/18/2026

Summary

Story summary

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced Operation TrialBlazer to speed research, noting China now develops about half of new mRNA vaccines and a dozen cancer candidates.
He cancelled 22 federal contracts for mRNA vaccine development last year.
Following the cancellations, an mRNA firm dropped a plant in Plano, Texas, after Governor Greg Abbott praised it.
Critics say Kennedy’s vaccine skepticism threatens the initiative’s aim to foster medicines.

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Story summary

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced Operation TrialBlazer to speed research, noting China now develops about half of new mRNA vaccines and a dozen cancer candidates.
He cancelled 22 federal contracts for mRNA vaccine development last year.
Following the cancellations, an mRNA firm dropped a plant in Plano, Texas, after Governor Greg Abbott praised it.
Critics say Kennedy’s vaccine skepticism threatens the initiative’s aim to foster medicines.