Colorized transmission electron micrograph of Avian influenza A H5N1 viruses. Credit score: Public Area
US well being officers introduced Friday they have been awarding $590 million to Moderna to develop mRNA vaccines towards influenza, together with advancing the corporate’s chook flu vaccine, as fears of a brand new pandemic develop.
The funding will assist Moderna “enhance mRNA platform capabilities so that the US is better prepared to respond to other emerging infectious diseases,” the Division of Well being and Human Companies (HHS) mentioned in an announcement.
The cash “allows Moderna to accelerate development of an H5N1 mRNA influenza vaccine that is well matched to strains currently circulating in cows and birds.”
That is along with the $176 million Moderna was awarded in July 2024.
And on Thursday the US authorities introduced $211 million in new funding for a consortium of personal and public laboratories to develop messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccines towards rising bio-threats.
Previous chook flu variants have been unpredictable and harmful to people.
“That is why this response has been a top priority for the Biden-Harris Administration and HHS,” mentioned the division’s secretary, Xavier Becerra, referring to outgoing President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris.
The H5N1 virus is widespread in wild birds and different animals. Whereas it has not conclusively been discovered to unfold from individual to individual, the quantity of chook flu circulating amongst animals and people has alarmed scientists.
Many consultants concern that H5N1, coupled with seasonal flu, might mutate right into a extra contagious type and set off a lethal pandemic.
To this point, 67 folks in the USA have been contaminated with avian influenza for the reason that outbreak started final 12 months.
The primary dying from the US outbreak was recorded early this month, an aged man in Louisiana.
The brand new funding comes as Donald Trump prepares to imagine the US presidency on January 20. The Republican has nominated Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a vaccine skeptic, to go HHS, and he has promised to reform the division.
© 2025 AFP
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US well being dept offering Moderna $590 mn to hurry mRNA chook flu vaccine (2025, January 18)
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