Health

Vaccine makers prep bird flu shot for humans ‘just in case’ as rich nations lock in supplies

As the world prepares for a possible resurgence of the avian flu, vaccine makers are racing to develop a shot that could be used to protect humans if the virus mutates and spreads.

Rich nations have already begun to lock in supplies of the vaccine, with the U.S. and U.K. reserving millions of doses.

The avian flu, or H5N1, has been circulating in birds for more than two decades and has infected more than 1,000 humans since 2003. While the spread of the virus has been largely contained, experts fear it could one day mutate, allowing it to be spread easily between humans and cause a global pandemic.

“We need to be prepared and have a vaccine ready just in case,” said Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the U.S. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.

So far, the vaccine has only been tested on animals, but it is expected to be ready for human trials in the next few years.

The vaccine is being developed by several pharmaceutical companies, including Sanofi Pasteur, GlaxoSmithKline, Novavax and CSL Limited.

The companies are working with the World Health Organization and other international partners to ensure the vaccine is safe and effective.

The vaccine is expected to be available for use in humans by 2022. In the meantime, the race is on to secure enough doses in case of an outbreak.

The U.S. and U.K. have already moved to secure supplies of the vaccine and other countries are expected to follow suit.

“We are in a very critical moment,” said Dr. Fauci. “We need to be prepared and have a vaccine ready just in case.”

Rich countries have begun to secure supplies of a potential bird flu vaccine for humans, with the U.S. and U.K. reserving millions of doses. Vaccine makers are racing to develop the shot that could be used to protect humans if the virus mutates and spreads. The vaccine is expected to be available for use in humans by 2022, but countries are already preparing for the worst. With the avian flu posing a real threat, governments and vaccine makers are determined to be prepared.