Is There a Vaccine for Bird Flu?

In the present bird flu outbreak, the virus has been detected in dairy cattle herds across nine states and infected at the very least one person. CDC health officials say two existing H5N1 candidate vaccine viruses can be found for manufacturers if the bird flu virus spreads more easily to humans.

The CDC has developed a candidate vaccine virus nearly similar to the protein in the present strain. If needed, this might be used to provide a vaccine for humans. According to a preliminary evaluation, the vaccine is predicted to supply good protection against the present H5N1 strain.

Both vaccine candidates are in the federal government’s stockpile in limited quantities, and lots of of hundreds of prefilled syringes and vials are able to ship.

There’s no word yet from health officials on the potential risks and unwanted effects of the bird flu vaccine.

Is a Bird Flu Vaccine Necessary?

As of now, there’s no evidence that bird flu is spreading between people. “But if we began seeing transmission to humans, a vaccine could help,” said William Schaffner, MD, an infectious disease specialist and professor on the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine.

Having a vaccine able to go ensures that public health officials are prepared just in case it’s needed, Schaffner added.

“A blueprint is on the shelf, able to put into the manufacturer’s hands for them to start out making doses if vital—all that preliminary work has been done,” said John Sellick, DOan infectious disease expert and professor of drugs on the University at Buffalo SUNY.

Sellick added that a vaccine isn’t often produced before there’s a significant health issue, but it surely’s “a part of pandemic preparedness and pondering ahead.”

“If the virus develops the capability to spread readily from individual to individual, the overall consensus is that we’re in for an additional pandemic,” Sellick said. “Vaccination is the muse of the response, putting it into as many arms as possible to stop hospitalizations and deaths.”

Who Would Need a Bird Flu Vaccine?

The biggest concern about bird flu now could be in dairy farm staff, who’re at the very best risk of exposure. “But you possibly can also make the argument that individuals who work on poultry farms could potentially get into trouble as well,” he said.

Sellick added that individuals who work within the manufacturing of dairy and poultry products might have a vaccine, too.

However, a whole lot of unknowns remain with the event of bird flu and a vaccine. “This is like COVID all all over again,” Sellick said. “The virus will tell us what’s happening.”

Sellick noted that bird flu hasn’t been capable of spread readily in humans. “There’s nothing we are able to do except to proceed to do surveillance and be ready, just in case,” he said.