US cancels $766 million pandemic flu vaccine support to Moderna
The Trump administration has withdrawn $766 million in funding previously allocated to Moderna Inc. for the development of a vaccine against potential pandemic flu, including bird H5N1 flu.The highly pathogenic H5N1 virus has caused widespread destruction in several countries, resulting in the loss of millions of animals. In the US, the virus claimed its first human life in January 2025, following exposure to infected chickens.advertisementModerna announced on Wednesday that the US Department of Health and Human Services had rescinded the funds, which were awarded in July 2024 and again in January 2025, to support the development and procurement of its experimental vaccine.
The funding had been provided through the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), a program designed to support medical countermeasures for potential public health emergencies.Moderna's investigational vaccine, mRNA-1018, uses the same mRNA technology that enabled the rapid development and deployment of Covid-19 vaccines.Despite the setback, the company shared promising interim results from its early-stage clinical trial that targeted H5 bird flu virus involving 300 healthy adults. The vaccine showed a strong immune response and a favourable safety profile."While the termination of funding from HHS adds uncertainty, we are pleased by the robust immune response and safety profile observed in this interim analysis," Moderna said in a statement.advertisementThe move comes amid growing skepticism within the administration toward mRNA vaccine platforms. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has publicly questioned their safety, despite extensive real-world data showing that mRNA vaccines are safe and have saved millions of lives, according to an Associated Press report.
Despite the setback, the company shared promising interim results from its early-stage clinical trial involving 300 healthy adults. ()
Bird flu, which initially spread through wild birds, has now spilled over into cattle in the US, infecting hundreds of animals across at least 17 states. As of May 28, more than 173 million poultry have been affected. At least 70 human infections have been reported, mostly mild, with one death so far.Scientists remain concerned that continued viral mutations could make H5N1 more dangerous or capable of human-to-human transmission, raising fears of a future pandemic.Moderna had received $176 million in July 2024 and $590 million in January 2025 to support vaccine development. The latter amount was intended to fund a large-scale trial that could have evaluated the vaccine's effectiveness against potential pandemic strains, including H5N1.advertisementEarlier this year, a report in The Lancet by the Global Virus Network (GVN) urged governments to ramp up virus surveillance, improve farm biosecurity, and prepare for the possibility of human-to-human spread."H5N1 is no longer just a bird flu, it has already jumped to dairy cows and humans. The virus' ability to infect both animals and humans, combined with recent genetic changes, underscores the importance of proactive surveillance," said Dr. Sten Vermund, Chief Medical Officer of GVN.While the current public health risk remains low, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is closely monitoring the situation.The agency is working with state health departments to track individuals exposed to infected animals and is using existing flu surveillance systems to monitor for signs of H5 infections in humans.Trending Reel
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Symptoms mild but Cov admissions rise, hosps expand isolation facilities
1 2 Kolkata: The spike in Covid patients in Kolkata and the rest of Bengal makes the elderly with comorbidities and children, especially those who suffered an adenovirus infection or pneumonia over the past three years, vulnerable to the existing Covid strains, say pulmonologists. Patients, suffering from associated respiratory illnesses, such as recurring bouts of asthma, frequent bronchitis, COPD or respiratory distress, were at a greater risk of getting Covid, they warned. Several private hospitals have started expanding their Covid units. While the infection might be mild for most, if numbers kept rising at the current rate, a significant section could get a severe disease, said CMRI Hospital pulmonology director Raja Dhar. "As the elderly and children are more vulnerable, the number of affected will swell, leading to a rise in severe cases. So, we need to isolate positives to curb transmission and ramp up testing, prevention measures and isolation facilities. Else, we will have an explosion of patients as a small number of severe cases could also be huge in our country," Dhar said. Five Covid patients are now admitted to CMRI, which has identified 14 beds, which could be scaled up to 32, if need be. Dhar added the current strain, believed to be Jn.1, a variant of Omicron, was highly transmissible though less virulent. Peerless Hospital has identified a ward with a dialysis facility and earmarked an eight-bed ITU for severe cases. The hospital now has two patients admitted, both stable. "We can accommodate five to 10 stable Covid patients immediately and at least eight severe patients at an ITU that can be converted," said Peerless CEO Sudipta Mitra. Two Covid patients are now admitted to RN Tagore Hospital, both stable. "If the numbers rise exponentially, severe cases will also go up. In terms of percentage, the number could be small, but in absolute numbers, we may have more severe cases over the next fortnight," said RN Tagore intensivist Sauren Panja. Covid patients at Manipal Hospitals were released by Sunday. "Our Dhakuria, Mukundapur and Salt Lake Broadway units each has an isolation unit. We are contemplating an isolation area to segregate suspected cases," said Manipal infectious diseases physician Sayan Chakrabarty. He added while symptoms remained muted, faster transmission might change the scene. "Those with lung ailments have the risk of aggravation if they get Covid. " At Charnock Hospital, a 'wider clinical team' has been set up. "Use of hand sanitisers and masks at the hospital has been reinstated. The hospital is setting up isolation wards and ICU beds for confirmed or suspected Covid cases. Patients with symptoms are being screened," said a Charnock spokesperson. Woodlands Multispecialty Hospital, which has identified a five-bed isolation unit, has one Covid patient admitted. "If numbers rise, we will use it. We have stepped up preventive measures and ramped up tests," said CEO Rupak Barua.
United News of India
2 hours ago
- United News of India
Trump to announce new nominee to lead NASA
Washington, June 1 (UNI) U.S. President Donald Trump will soon announce a new nominee for the head of NASA, following his decision to withdraw former candidate Jared Isaacman, a close ally of Elon Musk, an official said. "After a thorough review of prior associations, I am hereby withdrawing the nomination of Jared Isaacman to head NASA," Trump wrote on his Truth Social site. "I will soon announce a new Nominee who will be Mission aligned, and put America First in Space." Late last year, Trump named Isaacman, a billionaire and private astronaut, as the nominee for NASA chief. The Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee approved his nomination in late April. Isaacman, a close associate of Musk and a major client of his company SpaceX, has purchased several private spaceflights from the company with hundreds of millions of dollars. UNI XC GNK
Time of India
3 hours ago
- Time of India
JNU issues advisory after rise in Covid cases and confirmed positive case in hostel
New Delhi: In response to a rise in Covid-19 cases in the city and a confirmed case at Godavari Hostel, Jawaharlal Nehru University has issued an advisory urging preventive measures across the campus. A student tested positive for the virus on Saturday, prompting Jawaharlal Nehru University Students' Union (JNUSU) to call for immediate action from the university administration. On Sunday, JNUSU released a statement confirming that the student is recovering and experiencing only mild symptoms. "The chief medical officer (CMO) has informed us that current positive cases are being managed through home isolation, and there is no need for separate isolation wards at this stage. Any such decisions will be taken based on the evolving situation," the statement read. The students' union also urged students to stay calm and avoid panic. "The student who tested positive is doing well and currently only has a mild headache, with no fever or sore throat," it added. The university's official advisory emphasised the importance of immediate preventive action to protect students, staff and residents. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Investi in Azioni Italia fino a 2€ BG SAXO Scopri di più Undo It requested all members of the university community to follow basic Covid-19 precautions, such as frequent handwashing or sanitisation, wearing masks during public gatherings and maintaining personal hygiene. To ensure effective implementation of these measures, the administration has directed heads of academic units to establish departmental-level Covid monitoring committees. "Deans of schools and chairpersons of special centres are advised to constitute Covid monitoring committees at their respective levels," the advisory stated. In addition, the university's health centre and security branch have been tasked with raising awareness among frontline staff. "The chief medical officer, along with the health centre and security branch, will take steps to inform and sensitise field workers," the communication added. Students and staff are urged to report any positive cases immediately. For those in need of medical assistance, the university has provided emergency contact numbers, including access to ambulance services. . MSID:: 121548540 413 |
