HHS ousts MAHA implementation lead amid rushed cancellations of $500M in mRNA vaccine contracts

Gray Delany, the head of MAHA implementation at HHS, was reportedly fired following a messy rollout, and now describes himself as the “former director,” indicating his ouster1.

HHS announced it will cancel nearly $500 million in mRNA vaccine development contracts, terminating 22 BARDA-supported projects, including deals with Moderna, Pfizer, and CSL Seqirus2.

HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. justified the pivot by claiming mRNA vaccines fail to protect effectively against upper respiratory infections, a position that conflicts with evidence from many clinical trials showing strong protection against severe disease and broad safety2.

Coverage characterizes the cancellations as a significant policy reversal from pandemic-era support for mRNA platforms, emphasizing the speed and adaptability advantages of mRNA technology24.

Recent HHS staffing turbulence under Kennedy has included other high-profile dismissals, reflecting broader leadership shakeups within the department3.

Sources:

1. https://www.aol.com/maha-official-reportedly-fired-following-204607736.html

2. https://www.biopharmadive.com/news/kennedy-mrna-vaccines-barda-hhs-cancel-contracts/756953/

3. https://www.foxnews.com/politics/rfk-jr-fires-2-top-aides-hhs-staff-shakeup

4. https://hlth.com/insights/news/hhs-cancels-500m-in-mrna-vaccine-contracts-under-kennedy-leadership-2025-08-07