(WDNews) — Federal health officials have announced $72 million in funding to vaccine manufacturers to prepare bird flu vaccines, should they be needed. The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) emphasized that this is a precautionary move, with no current recommendation for U.S. citizens to get vaccinated.
The funds will enable pharmaceutical companies CSL Seqirus, Sanofi, and GSK to begin the “fill and finish” process, ensuring vaccines are ready to distribute. This involves transferring vaccines from bulk storage into vials or pre-filled syringes for potential use.
The HHS also reported that companies will manufacture additional influenza antigen in bulk to match the current strain of bird flu. So far this year, there have been 16 confirmed bird flu cases in the U.S. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) say the risk to the public remains low, though those working with potentially infected livestock should exercise caution.
