Moderna faces new hurdles as vaccine policy shifts

Moderna, once celebrated for its rapid development of a lifesaving COVID-19 vaccine during the initial Trump administration, now finds itself navigating a dramatically changed landscape as the U.S. government tightens oversight of vaccines under the Trump administration. The company, which became a household name for its mRNA technology and played a pivotal role in protecting millions during the pandemic, is now experiencing increased regulatory scrutiny and evolving market challenges. Stricter FDA guidelines and limited approvals Recently, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Moderna’s latest COVID-19 vaccine, but the authorization was narrower than the company had anticipated. The vaccine is now approved only for older adults and for individuals aged 12 to 64 who have certain underlying health conditions. This marks a shift from earlier, broader authorizations and reflects the government’s new, more cautious approach to vaccine approvals1. The Trump administration has implemented stricter guidelines for COVID-19 vaccine approval, requiring more robust evidence—particularly...