Moderna Gets Big Boost for Bird Flu Vaccine

The United States government is putting a big chunk of money, about $590 million, into developing a bird flu vaccine. The company Moderna will use this money to keep working on a vaccine that protects against the H5 and H7 types of bird flu. This isn't the first time they're getting help; earlier this year, they got $176 million for the same project. This bird flu vaccine is special because it uses a newer technology called mRNA, which was also used in some COVID-19 vaccines. The plan is to test it more in people and then give the results at a scientific meeting soon. The government thinks this is important because bird flu can be very unpredictable and dangerous to people. They want to make sure Americans are safe and have the right tools if anything happens. Bird flu usually only affects birds, but sometimes it can make people sick too. The H5N1 type has caused problems in the US recently, with many people getting sick and even one person dying in Louisiana. Moderna says the money will help them finish making the vaccine and test it on more types of bird flu. The US already has some bird flu vaccines, but they use older technology. The government is also spending more money to watch for bird flu and get ready if it spreads. They're focusing on helping hospitals, testing more, and making sure people know about new diseases. Even though most bird flu cases happen in animals, the government wants to work with others to keep people, animals, and food safe.