Luke O’Neill has described the Trump Administration’s decision to cut spending on research into mRNA vaccines as “very disturbing”. 

US Health Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr has pulled funding worth $500 million (€434 million) into mRNA vaccines that treat infections such as flu and COVID-19.

Secretary Kennedy, who has previously promoted false conspiracy theories about the safety of vaccines, said he had made the decision because "data show these vaccines fail to protect effectively against upper respiratory infections like COVID and flu".

On The Pat Kenny Show, Trinity Professor Luke O’Neill said “consternation” had been his reaction to the news. 

“It’s caused massive unease in America because the mRNA technology is well-proven, it’s safe, he’s making claims that aren’t backed by any data - that’s the thing that’s disturbing people,” Professor O’Neill explained. 

“He’s saying that they weren’t safe and that they didn’t protect people - that’s not true. 

“The data suggests they were very effective and safe; there’s obviously some side effects like most things.” 

A nurse prepares a vaccine. Picture by: Julian Claxton / Alamy.com.

Professor O’Neill continued that the news has caused huge upset among America’s scientific community. 

“He’s not cut the funding for cancer, we don’t think - because it works as a cancer vaccine as well,” he said.  

“The second thing is, Europe is still funding this stuff - it’s not just America that we need to be concerned about. 

“The Europeans have said, ‘Keep going.’” 

A man showing his arm with a bandage after receiving a vaccine. Picture by: Oleg Elkov / Alamy Stock Photo.

Professor O’Neill added that it is huge shame that America has decided research   into mRNA vaccines is no longer worthwhile, given how critical US work in the field has been to past breakthroughs. 

“They’re ahead of the world,” he said. 

“Remember, the Nobel Prize for Medicine - did the Nobel Prize get it wrong? I don’t think so. 

“So, it’s a very disturbing time.”

Main image: A split of Luke O'Neill and Donald Trump. Pictures by: Newstalk and Alamy.com.