Bird flu vaccine trial launches in UK targeting H5N1 pandemic strain

First volunteers have received an mRNA vaccine against the H5N1 bird flu strain as part of a large-scale UK trial.

• The trial immunized its first volunteers in Southampton, using mRNA technology similar to Covid-19 vaccines.
• Dr. Rebecca Clark, the trial's national co-ordinating investigator, said the strain is evolving and human-to-human transmission remains a real possibility.
• Professor Lucy Chappell, chief scientific adviser at the Department of Health and Social Care, said the trial is bolstering the UK's pandemic resilience.
• CEPI has provided £40 million in funding for the trial, with Moderna agreeing to guarantee affordable vaccine supply to low- and middle-income countries.