(PatriotSpotlight.org) – The U.S. government is set to shell out a whopping $176 million to Moderna for creating a brand new pandemic flu vaccine.
The move comes as worries swirl over rising bird flu (the H5N1 virus) cases in the country. The disease is causing havoc with dairy cattle across some dozen states, with officials claiming to be overseeing quick moves to stem a possible wider outbreak in humans.
The massive deal, announced Tuesday, aims to accelerate the creation of a high-tech mRNA jab that could prove crucial if bird flu affects humans. The disease can be fatal for animals, and there is a risk that it could evolve to spread to humans more easily.
“This vaccine could be a real game-changer if things escalate with bird flu,” a top health official told press. Moderna has already begun early-stage testing on a bird flu shot, utilizing the same mRNA technology that proved effective against COVID-19. The new funding will support further development, potentially leading to a late-stage trial next year if initial results are promising.
Importantly, this vaccine isn’t limited to just one strain. Officials emphasize its versatility, allowing quick adaptation to target other flu strains if a different threat emerges. “It’s like having a flu-fighting Swiss Army knife at our disposal,” the health official added.
So far this latest bird flu outbreak has merely impacted three Americans with mild symptoms, but health experts warn things could get far worse. The disease has already been detected on over 135 dairy farms. While this hefty government spending on a potential new vaccine is already raising some eyebrows, it is likely that preventing the virus from harming more animals will result in a net social and economic benefit.
Moderna previously developed one of the first and most effective Covid-19 vaccines. The government is likely looking to respond with more preventative measures to other diseases, given the widespread political, social and financial chaos the recent pandemic and laws related to it unleashed.
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