Moderna abruptly announced Wednesday that it has pulled its application for approval of a combined COVID-19 and flu vaccine—a decision made behind closed doors in coordination with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The official explanation cites a wait for more data from a late-stage trial of its standalone flu shot, but critics question the timing and motives.

This latest move comes amid increasing scrutiny and skepticism over how vaccine approvals are managed—especially since Robert F. Kennedy Jr., known for challenging entrenched pharmaceutical interests, took charge of the nation’s top health agency earlier this year.

Moderna has been aggressively pushing its experimental mRNA products to recover from declining COVID-19 vaccine sales and the tepid reception of its RSV shot. The company’s financial troubles are no secret, with stock prices plummeting nearly 60% last year—a sharp signal that public trust, and investor confidence, may be eroding.

Despite the setbacks, Moderna recently postponed its timeline for rolling out the combined shot, now aiming for 2026. Marketed as a solution for adults over 50, the dual-purpose vaccine is presented as a convenience—but skeptics see it as part of a broader effort to normalise regular mRNA injections without sufficient long-term data.

The FDA has recently approved Novavax’s COVID-19 vaccine, though the approval was delayed by over a month and came with some specific restrictions. While this has prompted some criticism regarding the timing and scope of the approval, it’s important to acknowledge the FDA’s responsibility to carefully evaluate all relevant scientific data and consider public health implications. However, we do advise individuals to carefully consider their options and, if possible, avoid vaccines until more is understood about their long-term effects.