An mRNA vaccine for avian influenza, developed by pharma company Moderna, has begun Phase 3 human trials. Building on the same technology used in their highly successful COVID-19 vaccine, the aim is to shore up the world’s defences against what is widely considered to be one of the biggest viral threats facing humanity. The H5N1 subtype of influenza A, often referred to as just “bird flu” because of its species’ of origin, has shown it has the capability to adapt to many different animals, feathered and non-feathered alike. Starting in 2024, reports came in from US dairy farms of cattle becoming infected, followed by a small but concerning number of human infections. Species as diverse as alpacas, cats, and seals have all been affected.
Because of this multi-species spread, and because history has shown us the devastation that flu can bring, health authorities around the world are concerned about the virus’s pandemic potential.