Moderna gets funding for an HPAI vaccine in humans

The U.S. government will give pharmaceutical company Moderna $176 million for a High Path Avian Flu vaccine, according to Reuters.

It uses the same technology as the COVID-19 vaccine, and Moderna began development and testing it last year on adults.

“mRNA vaccine technology offers advantages in efficacy, speed of development and production, scalability, and reliability in addressing infectious disease outbreaks, as demonstrated during the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Moderna CEO Stephane Bancel.

So far, four agriculture workers have contracted the virus since 2022.

Related Stories
Eric Weaver with UNL joins us to share about a promising new HPAI vaccine, early test results, next steps in development, and its potential impact on the livestock industry.
$2 million project tests fogging system to stop the virus in poultry facilities
More than 15 million birds were affected by bird flu, but fewer outbreaks are helping bring egg prices down
Bigger flocks are rebuilding egg and poultry supply.
As spring migration ramps up, USDA officials warn farmers about rising bird flu risks and urge stronger biosecurity measures. Resources are available through APHIS to help protect livestock.
APHIS Veterinary Medical Officer Dr. Chelsey Shiveley discusses USDA’s biosecurity resources available to poultry producers ahead of spring migration, increasing the risk of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) threatens commercial flocks.

LATEST STORIES BY THIS AUTHOR:

According to surveys by the University of Georgia in 2015, feral hogs caused approximately $100 million in agricultural damage just in that state. They continue to be a costly problem for rural communities across the state, reports Damon Jones of Georgia Farm Monitor.
Chaley Harney, Executive Director of the Montana Beef Council, and Jonna Jones, Director of Marketing for Wentana, LLC, say it’s a great time for both cattle producers and beef consumers to celebrate one of America’s favorite proteins.
Don’t miss the buzz of this episode of Where the Food Comes From, airing this Friday at 9:30 p.m. and 12:30 a.m. only on RFD-TV!
Agriculture Shows
Hosted by Scott “The Cow Guy” Shellady and RFD News Markets Specialist Tony St. James, Commodity Talk delivers expert insight into the day’s ag commodity markets just before the CME opens. Only on RFD-TV and Rural Radio SiriusXM Channel 147.
A look at the news, weather and commodities headlines that drove agriculture markets in the past week.
Everything profits from prairie. Soil, air, water — and all kinds of life! Learn how you can improve your land with prairie restoration, cover crops and prairie strips, while growing your bottom line.
Special 3-part series tells the story of the Claas family’s legacy, which changed agriculture forever.