WHO Launches Initiative for Bird Flu Vaccine Development

The World Health Organization (WHO) has initiated a project to develop a new bird flu vaccine using the technology that created COVID-19 vaccines, the organization’s website announced recently.

This effort aims to enhance global preparedness against potential pandemics caused by avian influenza, also known as bird flu. Collaborating with Sinergium Biotech, the WHO plans to create vaccines that can be easily distributed to low- and middle-income countries.

Sinergium has already developed a vaccine candidate and will soon commence preclinical trials. The WHO emphasizes that sharing data from these trials with other manufacturers will expedite the vaccine’s study and production.

With 14 human cases linked to bird flu reported in the U.S. since 2022, officials stress the importance of having a readily available vaccine to mitigate future public health risks. WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus highlighted the initiative as a vital step toward equitable pandemic preparedness.