Limited Access to Bird Flu Vaccines Amid Outbreak Concerns in the US

As avian influenza intensifies across the United States, particularly affecting poultry and dairy cattle, concerns regarding the availability of vaccines for the H5N1 strain have emerged. Despite the presence of licensed vaccines stockpiled by the government, vaccination for humans is not currently recommended, even in light of a recent death linked to the virus in Louisiana—the first recorded human fatality from H5N1 in the country.

Georgia has recently reported the presence of the virus in a commercial poultry flock, prompting the state to halt poultry sales to curb its spread. The outbreak has resulted in 67 human cases, predominantly mild in nature, with the majority of infections related to animal exposure. Experts suggest that the current risk level for widespread human infection remains low, with no evidence of person-to-person transmission identified thus far.

Although the federal government possesses millions of doses of H5N1 vaccines, health officials under the Biden administration have been cautious in deploying them, instead recommending targeted measures for farm workers and other high-risk groups. Additionally, personal protective equipment and antiviral medications are being prioritized for those at risk of exposure.

The Biden administration recently funded Moderna to expedite the development of a new mRNA vaccine targeting the current strain of H5N1. However, future vaccination decisions will lie with the incoming Trump administration and its appointees. The new administration may potentially focus on developing vaccines for animals as well, which has garnered historical resistance from poultry producers due to fears of export bans and other complications.

Vaccinating cattle presents a more feasible option, as the economic stakes for the dairy industry are significant, and could effectively help mitigate human exposure to H5N1.