U.S. pays $590 million to Moderna to speed up development of bird flu vaccine

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has announced a significant funding initiative, allocating $590 million to Moderna to expedite the development of influenza vaccines, including those aimed at combating bird flu. Outgoing HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra emphasized the importance of this acceleration in ensuring that Americans have access to vital health tools, highlighting the government's proactive approach to public health.

Moderna, known for its successful COVID-19 vaccine, has been working since 2023 on a "pandemic influenza vaccine" that targets various strains, particularly the H5N1 bird flu virus. This latest funding builds on a previous $176 million investment made by HHS last July, enabling Moderna to advance late-stage development and licensure of these critical vaccines. The funds will also support the expansion of clinical studies involving different subtypes of pandemic influenza to prevent future health emergencies.

The urgency of this initiative is underscored by the rapid spread of bird flu across the U.S. in recent months. While the virus has primarily affected livestock and mammals, there have been at least 67 confirmed human cases, including one fatality in Louisiana, as reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). California alone accounts for over half of these infections, indicating that the disease is a significant concern.

Although the overall public health risk remains low, Secretary Becerra cautioned against underestimating the unpredictable nature of bird flu variants. As such, addressing these potential threats is a top priority for the federal government. The CDC has recently taken steps to raise awareness, issuing an alert for hospitals to enhance testing procedures for suspected infections.

With this infusion of funding, HHS and Moderna aim to strengthen the country’s preparedness against influenza and bird flu, ultimately safeguarding public health amid evolving viral threats.