It’s just in case, but in the event that a new strain of bird flu should ever decide to cross from birds to humans, vaccine makers say they want to be ready.

Therefore, GlaxoSmithKline, Moderna and CSL Seqirus are revving up to start clinical trials for human vaccines of whatever new bird flu strain decides to rear its head. “Others, like Sanofi, said they ‘stand ready’ to begin production if needed, with existing H5N1 vaccine strains in stock,” Reuters reported.

Also just in case, vaccine makers are flying full speed ahead to develop a vaccine for poultry, too, an enterprise that’s predicted to have a larger market than for humans. Speaking of markets, Reuters is concerned that the potential shots for humans appear to be targeted for richer nations first.

“Many countries’ pandemic plans say flu shots should go first to the most vulnerable while supply is limited,” Reuters said. “But during COVID-19, many vaccine-rich countries inoculated large proportions of their populations before considering sharing doses.”

SOURCE:

Reuters March 20, 2023