The government funding is intended to support late-stage clinical trials that are expected to begin in 2025. The vaccine will target multiple pandemic-causing influenza virus variants, including strains of avian flu currently present in the United States. Results from the initial studies are expected to be published in the coming weeks.
Among the strains targeted is the H5N1 avian flu virus. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the virus has been detected in 136 poultry farms in 12 U.S. states, and three farm workers have been infected.
Currently, the risk to public health from the H5N1 virus is considered low, as no human-to-human transmission has been observed. “Our mission is to be ready if the situation evolves,” said Dawn O’Connell of the U.S. Department of Health.
Messenger RNA vaccines are preferred because they can be quickly adapted to virus mutations. This technology was first used in the Covid-19 vaccines developed by Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna.
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