GeoVax Advocates for MVA-Based Vaccines Following HHS mRNA Vaccine Rollback

GeoVax Labs, Inc., a clinical-stage biotechnology company, has responded to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' (HHS) recent decision to terminate nearly $500 million in BARDA-funded mRNA vaccine development contracts. This move signifies a policy shift, with HHS Secretary Kennedy pointing out the limitations of mRNA vaccines, particularly against viruses that infect the upper respiratory tract, due to antigenic shift. GeoVax's vaccine candidate, GEO-CM04S1, designed to express both the Spike (S) and Nucleocapsid (N) proteins of SARS-CoV-2, is presented as a solution offering broader and more durable protection, even as the virus mutates.

David Dodd, Chairman and CEO of GeoVax, emphasized that the company's MVA-based platform addresses the very issues highlighted by Secretary Kennedy. Clinical data supports GEO-CM04S1's ability to induce immune responses across various COVID-19 variants, including in immunocompromised patients, where mRNA vaccines have shown limitations. The company's approach not only promises enhanced efficacy but also aligns with U.S. priorities for vaccine safety, manufacturing innovation, and pandemic preparedness.

GeoVax's MVA-based vaccines are noted for their safety in vulnerable populations, including immunocompromised individuals, pregnant women, and children. The company is also advancing manufacturing processes that could lead to scalable, decentralized U.S. vaccine production, offering strategic advantages for public health resilience. Beyond COVID-19, GeoVax is developing vaccines for other infectious diseases, such as Ebola, Zika, and Mpox/Smallpox, aligning with global health priorities.

The company urges HHS to support multi-antigen vaccine platforms like MVA, which could enhance the U.S. biomedical countermeasure arsenal. GeoVax is ready to collaborate under the FDA's Commissioner's National Priority Voucher program to accelerate regulatory and funding support for its vaccines, aiming to protect high-risk populations and strengthen U.S. biomanufacturing self-sufficiency.

For more information on GeoVax's clinical trials and updates, visit https://www.geovax.com.