ANKARA

The US federal government has decided to cancel a major vaccine development contract aimed at protecting against pandemic-prone flu viruses, including the bird flu currently spreading among dairy cattle, according to US media.

The decision stems from concerns over the safety of mRNA technology, the US-based National Public Radio (NPR) reported Wednesday.

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced that it is ending a $766-million agreement with pharmaceutical company Moderna, according to NPR.

The contract was focused on creating an mRNA-based vaccine targeting dangerous flu strains, such as the H5N1 bird flu virus, which has sparked growing alarm in recent months, the department said.

"After a rigorous review, we concluded that continued investment in Moderna's H5N1 mRNA vaccine was not scientifically or ethically justifiable," HHS Communications Director Andrew Nixon said in a statement.

"This is not simply about efficacy — it's about safety, integrity, and trust. The reality is that mRNA technology remains under-tested, and we are not going to spend taxpayer dollars repeating the mistakes of the last administration, which concealed legitimate safety concerns from the public," Nixon said.