Moderna Receives $176 Million to Develop Bird Flu Vaccine with mRNA Technology Amid Growing Concerns about Its Spread in Dairy Cows

Amid growing concerns about the spread of H5N1 bird flu infection among dairy cows, the US government recently allocated 176 million USD to Moderna in order to accelerate the development of a vaccine. This investment was made by the US Department of Health and Human Services to prepare for the development of a vaccine in case of a pandemic.

The money was directed towards research and development of a bird flu vaccine using mRNA technology, the same technology used in Moderna’s Covid-19 vaccine. This technology allows for faster vaccine development, with the goal of conducting late-stage clinical trials by 2025 if initial results are positive. The US health officials have been closely monitoring the situation, as H5N1 has already affected hundreds of dairy herds in several states, resulting in three human cases.

In addition to Moderna, Pfizer is also working on an mRNA vaccine targeting a similar strain of bird flu. CSL Seqirus has already developed an avian influenza vaccine that has been approved by the FDA, with the US government ordering about 10 million doses. Efforts are also being made to develop a vaccine for cows to reduce the spread of the virus and minimize the risk of it mutating and affecting humans.

The global spread of avian influenza has been a growing concern, with multiple countries reporting cases in both animals and humans. The US government’s investment in vaccine development is part of a larger effort to prevent the spread of infectious diseases and protect public health. As efforts continue to develop vaccines and monitor potential outbreaks, it is important that all stakeholders work together to prevent further transmission and ensure public safety