LONDON: Leading flu vaccine producers believe they could make hundreds of millions of bird flu vaccinations for humans within months if a new strain of avian influenza crosses species.
H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4b has killed unprecedented numbers of birds and animals. Human instances are rare, and global health officials say transmission between humans is limited.
GSK, Moderna Inc., and CSL Seqirus executives told they are developing or testing prototype human vaccinations. These better match the circulating subtype to prevent pandemics.
Sanofi and others indicated they “stand ready” to start manufacturing with H5N1 vaccine strains in stock.
Companies are also trying to produce a bird flu vaccine for poultry, a much larger market than people.
Global health experts and firms said most possible human doses are reserved for wealthy countries in long-standing preparedness contracts, which is less encouraging.
Many pandemic preparations include giving the most vulnerable flu vaccines first. Many vaccine-rich countries immunised considerable segments of their people before exchanging doses during COVID-19.
We might potentially have a far larger problem with vaccine stockpiling and vaccine nationalism in a flu outbreak than we experienced with COVID,” said Dr. Richard Hatchett, CEO of CEPI, which funds vaccine development.
WHO Supply
The WHO shares 10% of global supply with low- and middle-income nations under a pandemic flu framework.
After COVID-19, the WHO wants 20% worldwide supplies for later pandemics.
Moreover, The UN agency claimed it has inked legally binding agreements with 14 manufacturers for 10% of its pandemic flu vaccine. “when it rolls off the production line,” including donated doses and inexpensive doses. The WHO said six major seasonal flu manufacturers, including GSK, Sanofi, and CSL Seqirus, signed agreements.
WHO did not address vaccine hoarding in a flu pandemic but stated procedures are established. So that countries may work together — not in competition with each other” to respond. It “completely confident” manufacturers and member nations would comply.
