Amidst ongoing concerns about the mRNA technology and Covid vaccines developed by Moderna, the U.S. government has awarded the company a new $176 million contract to advance the development of its bird flu vaccine. This decision comes as the H5N1 virus outbreak in dairy cows and infections among dairy workers continue to raise alarm.
The funding, provided by the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority, will facilitate the late-stage development and testing of an mRNA-based vaccine for H5N1 avian influenza, as reported by The Globe and Mail/Reuters.
In addition to the development of the bird flu vaccine, Moderna’s agreement with the government includes provisions to prepare for future public health threats. The recent outbreak of the virus in dairy cattle has spread to over 130 herds in 12 states, raising concerns about potential mutation and transmission to humans.
Moderna’s mRNA-1018 vaccine for bird flu is currently being studied in healthy adults, with results expected later this year. Late-stage trials are scheduled for 2025. The mRNA technology utilized by Moderna, also employed in its Covid-19 vaccine, offers advantages in rapid development and scalability.
U.S. officials are taking proactive measures by preparing 4.8 million doses of a similar vaccine for at-risk workers. The FDA has confirmed that pasteurization effectively deactivates the virus in dairy products.
With the ongoing developments in public health, the question remains – what will be the next focus after this contract with Moderna? Perhaps the EcoHealth Alliance will be the next recipient of a government contract. Only time will tell.
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