Reports from the CDC or other official health organizations

HHS Grants Moderna $590M for H5N1, H7N9 Bird Flu Vaccine Development

Jan 21, 2025, 01:43 PM

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has awarded Moderna $590 million to accelerate the development of mRNA-based vaccines targeting avian influenza, including the H5N1 and H7N9 strains. This funding, part of the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority's (BARDA) Rapid Response Partnership Vehicle, will support late-stage development, licensure, and clinical studies for up to five additional pandemic influenza subtypes. Moderna plans to advance its mRNA-1018 vaccine, which has shown positive preliminary results in Phase 1/2 trials, into Phase 3 trials. The initiative, supported by BARDA since 2023, aims to address the potential pandemic threat posed by avian influenza and enhance preparedness for future outbreaks. HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra emphasized the importance of staying ahead of unpredictable and dangerous avian flu variants. The funding comes amid declining sales of Moderna's COVID-19 and RSV vaccines and its efforts to cut costs by $1 billion. There have been 67 confirmed human cases of avian influenza in the U.S., with one death linked to the H5N1 strain. The Biden administration has prioritized this response to ensure public safety.