U.S. Pledges $500 Million to Develop Universal Vaccines

WASHINGTON, May 1, 2025 — The United States is committing $500 million to advance the development of so-called “universal” vaccines—formulations designed to protect against multiple strains of a virus—according to internal emails cited by The Wall Street Journal on Thursday.

The project, overseen by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), will employ a method based on chemically inactivated whole viruses, echoing the traditional approach used in flu vaccines during the mid-20th century. This method, while older, is being re-examined for its potential to yield broader immunity across viral families.

The new effort is part of an HHS initiative named “Generation Gold Standard,” which represents a strategic shift away from single-virus vaccine projects—particularly those focused solely on COVID-19—toward the development of multipurpose immunizations. The department said the funding would be used not only for a next-generation universal influenza vaccine, but also for research on vaccines designed to protect against all coronavirus variants.

The initiative is being framed as a long-term investment in pandemic preparedness. Scientists and public health officials have long warned of the limitations of strain-specific vaccines, especially as viruses such as influenza and SARS-CoV-2 mutate rapidly and unpredictably. A universal vaccine could eliminate the need for frequent reformulations and reduce the lag time between outbreaks and vaccine distribution.

The Washington Post reported late Wednesday that newly appointed HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. will require all upcoming vaccines to undergo placebo-controlled clinical trials, a process that is more rigorous and time-consuming but is widely considered the gold standard in evaluating vaccine efficacy and safety.

Kennedy, a former environmental attorney and outspoken critic of vaccine mandates, previously founded Children’s Health Defense, a group known for challenging vaccine requirements in both state and federal courts. His appointment has drawn criticism from public health experts concerned about the implications for vaccine policy and regulatory oversight.

The Department of Health and Human Services did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The Biden administration’s funding commitment comes amid growing calls for a more resilient public health infrastructure. While universal vaccines are still largely in the experimental phase, advocates argue that proactive investment in such research could spare the country the health and economic toll of future pandemics.

We’re not just preparing for the next outbreak — we’re trying to stay ahead of it.