"Prepping for the Worst: Vaccine Makers Develop Bird Flu Shot for Humans as Rich Nations Secure Supplies"
Originally Published 2 years ago — by Reuters
Leading flu vaccine manufacturers are developing or testing human vaccines for bird flu as a precautionary measure against a future pandemic. However, most of the potential human doses are earmarked for wealthy countries in long-standing preparedness contracts, raising concerns about vaccine hoarding and nationalism. The World Health Organization has signed agreements with 14 manufacturers for 10% of their pandemic flu vaccine, but is seeking guarantees of 20% global supply for other types of pandemic in the wake of COVID-19. Vaccine makers are also developing bird flu vaccines for poultry, a potentially larger market than for humans.