Additional Coverage:
Moderna Receives Funding for Bird Flu Vaccine Development
The US government has granted Moderna $590 million to accelerate the development of a bird flu vaccine using mRNA technology. This funding aims to expand clinical studies and support the creation of vaccines for multiple pandemic influenza subtypes.
mRNA vaccines, like those used for COVID-19, instruct the body to produce proteins that trigger an immune response. Researchers can design these vaccines more quickly than traditional vaccines, which use live or weakened pathogens.
Bird Flu Cases on the Rise
As of Friday, there have been 67 confirmed cases of bird flu in humans in the US. The first human death was reported in Louisiana earlier this month. Most infections have occurred after contact with infected animals.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) emphasizes that there is no evidence of human-to-human transmission and the risk to the general public remains low. However, the government is taking precautions by stockpiling traditional bird flu vaccines.
Continued Efforts to Protect Public Health
The Biden-Harris Administration has made the development of new vaccines a priority to ensure the country is prepared for potential pandemics. Moderna’s funding will support ongoing research and the potential development of vaccines for a wider range of influenza strains.