Moderna Secures $176 Million for mRNA Bird Flu Vaccine Amid Rising Pandemic Concerns

Federal funds will support late-stage development as H5N1 spreads among U.S. livestock and public health readiness falters.

Moderna's funding comes from the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA).
The H5N1 virus has been detected in dairy cattle across 12 states, raising alarm among health experts.
Three dairy workers have contracted mild cases of H5N1, highlighting the potential human risk.
Public trust in health institutions has declined, complicating outbreak response efforts.
Experts urge adopting high-reliability practices from other fields to improve public health preparedness.