$306 Million Funds Avian Influenza Pandemic Preparations

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) today announced that it is awarding $306 million in additional funding to support its response to H5N1 avian influenza outbreak in annimals.

The HHS Secretary stated on January 3, 2025, that although the risk to humans remains low, federal officials are preparing for various outbreak scenarios.

"Preparedness is the key to keeping Americans healthy and our country safe. We will continue to ensure our response is strong, well-equipped, and ready for whatever is needed."

About $183 million of this funding is earmarked for regional, state, and local preparedness programs, such as hospital readiness and boosting emerging-pathogen training and treatment, focusing on avian flu activities.

Previously, HHS funded the development of various avian influenza vaccines. For example, in 2020, the U.S. FDA approved the CSL Seqirus Inc. Audenz™ monovalent, adjuvanted, cell-based inactivated subunit vaccine.

These vaccines are not commercially available in January 2025.

In June 2024, the WHO published the Pandemic Influenza Pandemic Framework's partnership Contribution High-Level Implementation Plan III, which outlines the strategy for strengthening global pandemic influenza preparedness from 2024 to 2030.