Washington, D.C. — In a controversial move just days before the start of Pride Month, the Trump administration has terminated a $258 million federal program dedicated to HIV vaccine research, igniting widespread criticism from public health experts, researchers, and LGBTQ+ advocacy groups.
The program, launched in 2019, was a collaborative effort between Duke University and the Scripps Research Institute, focusing on the development of broadly neutralizing antibodies capable of providing long-lasting protection against multiple HIV strains. These efforts were considered pivotal in the global fight against HIV/AIDS, which continues to affect over 1.2 million Americans and millions more worldwide.
Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. defended the decision, citing budgetary constraints and a strategic shift toward utilizing existing methods to combat HIV/AIDS. “The consortia for HIV/AIDS vaccine development and immunology was reviewed by NIH leadership, which does not support it moving forward,” a senior NIH official stated. “NIH expects to be shifting its focus toward using currently available approaches to eliminate HIV/AIDS.”
However, critics argue that the abrupt termination undermines decades of progress in HIV research and disproportionately impacts marginalized communities. Dr. Anthony Fauci, former director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, expressed concern over the decision, stating, “This move sets back our efforts to end the HIV epidemic by years.”
The terminated program had also contributed to advancements in treatments for other diseases, including COVID-19 and autoimmune conditions. Its research was instrumental in developing clinical trials, some of which may now be jeopardized due to the loss of funding.
This decision is part of a broader pattern of cuts to HIV prevention and treatment initiatives by the Trump administration. Earlier this year, the administration halted funds for the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), a $7.5 billion program that provided treatment for HIV in Africa and developing countries. Additionally, millions of dollars were withdrawn from programs focused on pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and youth-focused HIV research.
Advocacy groups are mobilizing to petition Congress to reinstate funding, emphasizing the importance of continued investment in HIV research to achieve long-term public health goals. “Almost everything in the field is hinged on work that those two programs are doing,” said Mitchell Warren, executive director of the HIV … . “The pipeline just got clogged.”
The termination of the HIV vaccine research program has sparked protests and calls for action from various communities. In Washington, D.C., HIV vaccine advocates held demonstrations opposing federal HIV funding cuts, highlighting the potential consequences for vulnerable populations, including LGBTQ+ individuals, women and girls, and those in developing countries.
As the debate continues, the future of HIV vaccine research in the United States remains uncertain. While some clinical trials may proceed, the loss of funding raises concerns about the long-term viability of efforts to develop a vaccine and ultimately end the HIV epidemic.
