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Bird flu vaccine trial against potential pandemic strain begins
The first volunteers in the UK have been immunised with an H5N1 vaccine using mRNA technology. The large trial plans 4,000 participants across England, Scotland, and the United States, focusing on poultry workers and those over 65, with manufacturing plans at Moderna's Harwell plant if needed.
Why It Matters
If successful, the trial could lead to a licensed vaccine against a potential bird flu pandemic and influence future global vaccine manufacturing and distribution.
Timeline
6 Events
Vaccine manufacturing capacity and CEPI stance
April 21, 2026
If needed, the vaccine would be manufactured at Moderna's Harwell plant in Oxfordshire, capable of 100 million doses per year (potentially up to 250 million in a pandemic). CEPI said this approach would help mitigate 'vaccine nationalism' seen during Covid.
First UK volunteers immunised in H5N1 trial (Southampton)
April 21, 2026
The first volunteers in the UK have been immunised with a vaccine to protect against H5N1 at a clinic in Southampton. The large-scale trial plans about 4,000 volunteers, with most sites in England and Scotland and the rest in the United States; the vaccine uses mRNA technology and aims to test safety and immune response.
US funding cut for mRNA vaccines in Aug 2025
August 2025
The US government cut $500 million of funding for mRNA vaccines in August 2025 after health secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr., a vaccine sceptic, said mRNA technology posed more risks than benefits for respiratory viruses.
Global human H5N1 cases since 2024
2024
There have been 116 confirmed human cases around the world since 2024, almost all linked to close contact with infected animals.
2009 swine flu pandemic
2009
The H1N1 swine flu pandemic occurred in 2009 and was described as comparatively mild.
Oxford 2006 H5N1 vaccine trial
2006
A participant recalls taking part in an H5N1 vaccine trial in Oxford in 2006; the jab was safe but did not prove to be very effective.