Through the National Cancer Institute, HHS has launched a $200 million initiative to establish public-private partnerships to study cancer vaccines, according to a March 17 report from The Wall Street Journal.
The clinical trials will focus on various vaccine types — including messenger RNA vaccines — for patients who have already been treated for cancer and have a high risk of recurrence, the report said.
HHS had terminated mRNA vaccine programs under the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority in 2025. In June, HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. removed all 17 members of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices and appointed 13 new members. The new panel backed a series of changes that led to the CDC cutting its routine childhood immunization schedule from 18 to 11 diseases.
A federal judge on March 16 blocked efforts by Mr. Kennedy to restructure U.S. childhood immunization policy and overhaul the CDC’s vaccine advisory committee. The ruling voided all votes taken by Mr. Kennedy’s appointees and reinstated the 17 previously removed members.
NCI director Anthony Letai, MD, said the cancer vaccine program differs from vaccines for infectious diseases, which “must have a pristine safety profile,” according to the report.
The initiative plans to raise $100 million equally from government agencies and donations from the private sector.
Read the full report here.
