Overview

• Moderna and Pfizer are competing for federal contracts to develop mRNA bird flu vaccines.
• The Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) may provide tens of millions in funding.
• Bird flu has spread to poultry and cattle in multiple states, with two human cases reported.
• Current bird flu vaccines are egg-based and slower to produce than mRNA alternatives.
• The CDC maintains that the public health risk from bird flu remains low despite recent developments.