Originally published August 22, 2023 2:02 pm PDT
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) under the Biden administration has announced a massive investment of more than $1.4 billion through “Project NextGen,” a comprehensive initiative aimed at supporting “the development of a new generation of tools and technologies to protect against COVID-19 for years to come.”
This landmark decision by HHS, coordinated via the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR), will pave the way for “clinical trials that will enable the rapid development of even more effective and longer-lasting coronavirus vaccines, a new monoclonal antibody, and transformative technologies to streamline manufacturing processes,” according to a press release from the agency.
As HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra stated, “Project NextGen is a key part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to keeping people safe from COVID-19 variants.”
He emphasized that “These awards are a catalyst for the program – kickstarting efforts to more quickly develop vaccines and continue to ensure availability of effective treatments.”
Project NextGen operates with a substantial $5 billion budget and is spearheaded by ASPR’s Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) in close alliance with the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID).
Over the past three years, the project has worked to build “on a better understanding of COVID-19 – with HHS developing, using, and constantly re-evaluating the strengths and weaknesses of current vaccines and therapeutics,” according to the release.
Highlighting the perceived importance of staying ahead of the virus’s evolution, Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response, Dawn O’Connell, pointed out that, “As the virus continues to evolve, we need new tools that keep pace with those changes.”
She further elaborated that Project NextGen “combines the research and development expertise at HHS with the lessons we have learned about the virus throughout the pandemic – strengthening our preparedness for whatever comes next.”
A breakdown of the funds reveals:
- A colossal $1 billion earmarked for “four BARDA Clinical Trial partners to support vaccine Phase IIb clinical trial studies.” The beneficiaries of this investment include ICON Government and Public Health Solutions, Inc., Pharm-Olam, LLC, Technical Resources Intl (TRI), Inc., and Rho Federal Systems, Inc.
- Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, a renowned name in biotechnology, has been awarded $326 million. This is geared towards “the development of a next-generation monoclonal antibody for COVID-19 prevention,” aimed at those who will not receive a vaccine. According to the press release, HHS and Regeneron are optimistic that “the new monoclonal antibody will enter clinical trials this fall.”
- A strategic investment of $100 million will be directed to Global Health Investment Corp. (GHIC) to “expand investments in new technologies that will accelerate responses in the future.”
- Lastly, Johnson & Johnson Innovation (JLABS) will receive $10 million for a competition, realized through a partnership with Blue Knight, combining the strengths of both BARDA and JLABS.
Project NextGen intends to usher in “clinical trials for new vaccine candidates targeting longer-lasting protection against future variants as early as this winter.”
HHS is also in active discussions with potential collaborators, anticipating more announcements related to awards “before the end of this fiscal year.”
Over 81% of the American population has already been vaccinated against COVID, according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) data last updated in May.
This means that the new COVID-19 surge comes after a majority of those in the U.S. received at least one vaccine, raising questions about the jab’s efficacy.
In fact, a recently published peer-reviewed study in the journal Open Forum Infectious Diseases has confirmed that the risk of contracting COVID-19 is higher among those who have received more COVID vaccines.
Moreover, the vaccine itself poses health risks.
There have been 1,585,094 injuries, 208,190 hospitalizations, and 35,911 deaths associated with the COVID vaccine, according to data through Aug 11 from the CDC’s Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS).
But HHS-directed research has proven that only a very small portion of vaccine-linked negative health outcomes are reported to the CDC in the first place.
A 2010 analysis submitted to HHS’s Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality confirmed that fewer than 1% of vaccine adverse events that do occur are ever reported.
“Adverse events from drugs and vaccines are common, but underreported,” write the analysis authors, who add that “[a]lthough 25% of ambulatory patients experience an adverse drug event, less than 0.3% of all adverse drug events and 1-13% of serious events are reported to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).”
“Likewise, fewer than 1% of vaccine adverse events are reported,” the analysis emphasized.
This means that roughly 100 times more vaccine injuries might be occurring than are reported.
If the HHS’s 2010 analysis is correct, then there have been closer to 158,509,400 injuries, 20,819,000 hospitalizations, and 35,911 deaths associated with the COVID vaccine.
