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In Lynwood, California, as photographed on October 28, 2022, a patient receives a flu vaccination. This image highlights the ongoing efforts to combat flu outbreaks, now taking a significant step forward with the U.S.
Department of Health and Human Services’ recent announcement. On July 2, 2024, the department declared its decision to allocate $176 million to Moderna, supporting the pharmaceutical company in the development of a mRNA-based vaccine aimed at addressing bird flu in humans, amid rising cases in dairy cows nationwide.
The U.S government is channeling funds into Moderna to hasten the creation of a new vaccine designed to combat pandemic influenza, including bird flu, amid escalating concerns over its spread to dairy cows in various states, as per announcements from federal officials on Tuesday.
Utilizing the mRNA technology that was pivotal in the swift development and dissemination of COVID-19 vaccines, Moderna’s bird flu vaccine is currently in preliminary testing phases. The allocated funds from the Health Department will bolster the vaccine’s development process, funding its progression into a crucial late-stage trial slated for next year, contingent on promising results from initial studies.
Federal health authorities have emphasized the flexibility of this project, noting that the focus can swiftly shift to a different strain of influenza should a non-H5N1 bird flu threat emerge.
The financial support for this initiative comes via the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), a body dedicated to developing medical solutions for potential pandemic threats.
The H5N1 virus, identified earlier this year in dairy cows, has since affected over 135 herds in 12 states, leading to three human infections, all of which were mild. Despite these occurrences, health officials maintain that the general public faces a low risk from the virus.
The Associated Press Health and Science Department, supported by the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Science and Educational Media Group, is solely accountable for the content of this report.