Government hopes to be prepared for possible bird flu pandemic or outbreak of other flu variations<\/p>\n<\/h3>\n
By Stephanie Brown HealthDay Reporter<\/b>
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FRIDAY, April 25, 2025 (HealthDay News) — 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<\/em>.<\/p>\n 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)<\/a>, 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<\/em> 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.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n HHS officials emphasize that the project can be easily and rapidly redirected to target other forms of influenza if and when different threats emerge.<\/p>\n 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<\/em> said.<\/p>\n