The Intelligence from The Economist Call the shots: vaccine cuts imperil global health
Sep 2, 2025
Natasha Loder, the health editor at The Economist, discusses the perilous effects of funding cuts on mRNA vaccine research, significantly impacting future pandemic preparedness. She highlights the ongoing turmoil within the CDC following the firing of its director and challenges posed by health misinformation. The conversation also touches on Britain’s largest supercomputer, Isambard AI, reflecting on its groundbreaking research potential. Loder further explores the rising cultural fascination in Mexico with Japanese and Korean cultures compared to China's more economic focus.
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Moderna Bird-Flu Contract Terminated
- RFK Jr. cut a major contract with Moderna for a bird-flu mRNA vaccine and terminated many other mRNA contracts.
- Observers warn this reduces US preparedness for a possible human bird-flu pandemic.
US Cuts Threaten Preparedness But Open Doors
- Cutting large pandemic projects risks leaving the US less prepared for emergent threats and can have global knock-on effects.
- However, other countries may seize the opportunity to advance mRNA programmes.
Europe And UK Can Pick Up The Baton
- Europe and the UK are positioned to pick up large mRNA projects, especially for cancer and pandemic vaccines.
- Private funding will persist but federal cuts risk losing a generation of researchers.