In recent years, multiple proposals have been introduced in state legislatures that would restrict or ban mRNA vaccine technology. Such policies would undermine decades of scientific and public health progress, leave communities more vulnerable to preventable disease, and threaten future medical innovation.
Today’s vaccines are developed using several scientific approaches or platforms—including mRNA, viral vector, protein subunit, inactivated, and live-attenuated technologies. Each platform has strengths and limitations, and no single approach is right for every disease or population. While these platforms differ in how they work, they share a critical feature: every vaccine currently recommended for use in the United States met the same rigorous standards for safety and effectiveness set by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
In 2025, several state lawmakers introduced legislation to limit access to mRNA vaccines. Restricting specific vaccine technologies would politicize public health decisions that should be grounded in scientific evidence and clinical judgment by experts in the field.
Such policies and federal grant funding cuts also stifle medical innovation. mRNA technology is being evaluated in clinical trials for new vaccines and treatments targeting cancer, HIV, influenza, RSV, and other serious diseases. Restricting this platform would slow potentially lifesaving research and potentially discourage investment in future vaccine development.
Maintaining multiple vaccine platforms is essential for preparedness. Different vaccines are better suited for different circumstances—some, like mRNA, can be developed and updated quickly to respond to emerging threats, while others are easier to store and transport for rural or low-resource settings. Restricting any proven technology limits the tools available to protect communities during outbreaks and emergencies.
The economic consequences are significant. Vaccine-preventable diseases among unvaccinated adults cost the US economy an estimated $9 billion annually.1 Routine childhood immunizations return approximately $11 in savings for every dollar spent, generating an estimated $2.9 trillion in societal benefits over the lifetimes of children born between 1994 and 2023.2 Policies that restrict vaccine platforms put these gains at risk.
The National Foundation for Infectious Diseases (NFID) urges policymakers to support evidence-based vaccine policy that reflects rigorous scientific review and clinical experience. Vaccine policy decisions should be made by medical and public health experts using established regulatory processes—not by legislative bodies targeting specific technologies. Preserving access to all safe and effective vaccine platforms, and continuing to invest in vaccine research, manufacturing, and safety monitoring, is essential for protecting families and communities and supporting a strong, resilient economy.
Sources:
1. Ozawa S, Portnoy A, Getaneh H, et al. “Modeling The Economic Burden Of Adult Vaccine-Preventable Diseases In The United States.” Health Affairs. 2016;35(11):2124-2132. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27733424/
2. Zhou F, Jatlaoui TC, Leidner AJ, et al. “Health and Economic Benefits of Routine Childhood Immunizations in the Era of the Vaccines for Children Program — United States, 1994–2023.” MMWR. 2024;73(31):682-685. https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/73/wr/mm7331a2.htm
About the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases
Founded in 1973, the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases (NFID) is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to educating and engaging the public, communities, and healthcare professionals about infectious diseases across the lifespan. NFID has a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator and has earned a Platinum transparency seal from Candid/GuideStar. For more information, and to access trusted science-based resources on immunization for both healthcare professionals and the public, visit www.nfid.org.
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