HHS Announces Plans to Pay Moderna $176 Million for mRNA Flu Vaccine

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On Tuesday, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced that the government will invest $176 million in Moderna to expedite the creation of a pandemic influenza vaccine, according to a report from the Associated Press.

This vaccine could be used to combat potential bird flu infections in humans, addressing increasing concerns about the spread of the virus among dairy cows nationwide. Avian influenza A(H5N1), commonly known as bird flu, was detected in dairy cows earlier this year and has since spread to more than 135 herds across 12 states, the AP reported. To date, it has infected three people, all of whom experienced mild cases. Federal health officials are stressing that the risk to the general public remains low.

Moderna is currently in the very early stages of testing a bird flu vaccine using the same mRNA technology that allowed for rapid development and rollout of COVID-19 vaccines. The funds from the U.S. government will enable the ongoing development of the vaccine, including late-stage trials next year, if the results from the early studies prove promising.

HHS officials emphasize that the project can be easily and rapidly redirected to target other forms of influenza if and when different threats emerge.

The award was made possible through the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority, or BARDA, a program that focuses on medical treatments for potential pandemics, the AP said.

Associated Press Article

Source: HealthDay

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