According to the Financial Times on Thursday, as the H5N1 avian influenza outbreaks continue to spread in egg farms and cattle herds, the U.S. government is close to finalizing a deal to fund Moderna's late-stage trials for its mRNA avian flu vaccine.
The report states that federal funding from the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) could be in place by next month, including a commitment to purchase vaccine doses if the Phase 3 trials are successful.
The total funding is expected to amount to tens of millions of dollars and may come with a pledge to procure vaccines once the Phase 3 trials prove successful.
Moderna and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) did not immediately respond to Reuters' request for comment.
The U.S., Canada, and Europe have been actively negotiating with companies like CSL Seqirus and GSK to acquire or produce H5N1 avian flu vaccines. These vaccines might be used to protect poultry and dairy workers, veterinarians, and laboratory technicians who are at risk.
Since the virus was first detected in cattle in late March, the U.S. confirmed the second human case of avian influenza last week.
The spread of the avian flu virus has raised concerns as it gradually infects mammals. This is the first time an outbreak has been detected in cattle in the U.S., raising fears that it could spread to humans through the nation's milk supply chain.
Since 2022, avian flu in the U.S. has infected over 90 million chickens, 9,000 wild birds, 52 cattle herds, and three people.
