Health authorities in the UK have launched a vaccine trial targeting the H5N1 bird flu strain, which has caused widespread infections in bird populations and spread to some mammals. The trial marks an early effort to prepare for potential pandemic scenarios, though current human infection risk remains low according to the UK Health Security Agency.
The vaccine employs mRNA technology, the same platform used in current Covid vaccines, allowing for rapid development and large-scale production if needed. The trial aims to enroll 4,000 participants across sites in England, Scotland, and the United States, focusing on individuals working in the poultry industry and those over 65 years old. Researchers will evaluate whether the vaccine is safe and can generate adequate immune responses, potentially paving the way for licensure if circumstances warrant deployment.
According to trial investigators, while human-to-human transmission does not currently occur easily, treating it as a realistic possibility justifies proactive vaccine development. Since 2024, there have been 116 confirmed human cases globally, nearly all linked to direct contact with infected animals. Dr Rebecca Clark, the trial’s national coordinating investigator, noted that the strain continues to evolve and spread across animal species.
If authorized, the vaccine would be manufactured at Moderna’s facility in Harwell, Oxfordshire, which currently produces Covid vaccines for the UK. The plant has capacity to produce 100 million doses annually, expandable to 250 million doses during a pandemic. This approach offers advantages over traditional egg-based vaccine manufacturing, which can be problematic with virulent avian flu strains.
The Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations has provided £40 million in funding for the trial after US government cuts to mRNA vaccine funding. As part of the agreement, Moderna has pledged to ensure rapid and affordable vaccine access to low and middle-income countries during any future pandemic, addressing concerns about vaccine equity.
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