The Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) has awarded Moderna $176 million to develop a pandemic influenza vaccine for humans. The Agency focuses on preparation for potential pandemics and is responding to general concern by virologists and epidemiologists over the wide range of marine and terrestrial mammals susceptible to H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4b. The perceived need for a vaccine has been stimulated by the emergence of bovine influenza-H5N1 that has been confirmed in more than 140 herds in twelve states in the U.S.
Moderna developed mRNA vaccine technology used to produce a successful vaccine against SARS-CoV-19 (COVID). An mRNA vaccine against H5 and H7 influenza strains previously developed by Moderna is currently undergoing evaluation in human volunteers. Results of the Moderna mRNA-1018 evaluation to provide protection against both H5 and H7 subtypes will be available by the end of the current year
It is fortunate that mRNA vaccines are prepared without the use of time-consuming egg propagation and can be modified quickly to respond to changes in field viruses to optimize protection. Stephanie Bacel CEO of Moderna stated, “mRNA vaccine technology offers advantages in efficiency, speed of development and production, scalability and reliability in addressing infectious disease outbreaks as demonstrated during the COVID-19 pandemic.”
To date only four cases of mild H5N1 avian influenza have been confirmed among a large number of susceptible dairy herd workers, despite close contact with cows and raw milk. Notwithstanding the low risk of an emerging U.S. epidemic public health agencies consider it prudent to make provision for the emergence a zoonotic strain that may become capable of human-to-human transmission.
In related action, cell-derived vaccine manufactured by CSL Seqirus will be dispensed into ready-to-administer doses to protect farm workers, veterinarians, health-care providers and first responders. Approximately 4.8 million doses will be available with the E.U. purchasing a large quantity. Finland has announced that it will embark on a program of preventive vaccination of at-risk personnel although as yet, bovine influenza-H5N1 has not emerged in Europe. Finland has a special concern over workers on fur farms since mink and foxes are susceptible to H5N1 infection with a number of farms having been depopulated as a result of exposure during 2023.
U.S. public health authorities and the WHO confirm that the risk of a zoonotic and pandemic strain of H5N1 emerging is low but the consequences could be catastrophic and accordingly appropriate preemptive action has been initiated both in the E.U. and the U.S.