A clinical trial has commenced in the UK to test a vaccine designed to protect against H5N1 bird flu, a strain that has caused widespread infections in bird populations globally and spread to certain mammal species. The trial marks the first time volunteers in the UK have been vaccinated with this candidate vaccine. Currently, the risk to human health remains low, with the UK Health Security Agency noting that nearly all documented human infections have resulted from direct contact with infected animals.
The vaccine employs mRNA technology, the same approach used in Covid vaccines, which allows for rapid development and large-scale production if needed during a pandemic. The trial aims to enroll 4,000 volunteers, primarily from groups considered at higher risk—workers in the poultry industry and individuals over 65 years old. Three-quarters of participants will be recruited at 26 sites across England and Scotland, with the remainder participating at locations in the United States.
Since 2024, there have been 116 confirmed human cases worldwide, nearly all connected to close contact with infected animals. Researchers emphasize the possibility of human-to-human transmission despite its current rarity. If the vaccine demonstrates safety and generates a sufficient immune response, it could be licensed for emergency use in a pandemic scenario. Manufacturing capacity exists at Moderna’s facility in Harwell, Oxfordshire, which can currently produce 100 million doses annually but could scale to 250 million doses if required during a public health emergency.
MRNA technology offers significant advantages over traditional egg-based flu vaccine production methods, particularly when dealing with highly virulent avian flu strains that can kill the eggs used in conventional manufacturing. Pandemic influenza is considered inevitable, though the timing and specific strain responsible remain unpredictable. Funding for the trial has been supported by CEPI, the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations, which provided £40 million after the US government reduced mRNA vaccine funding. As part of the arrangement, Moderna has committed to ensuring rapid and affordable vaccine access to low and middle-income countries during any future pandemic.
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