Canada Purchased 500,000 Bird Flu Vaccines for People

With the detections of the Eurasian H5 strain of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in wild birds, domestic poultry, and mammals over the past few years, Canada took action today to prepare for a pandemic.

As of February 19, 2025, the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) and its partners have secured an initial supply of 500,000 doses of GSK's human vaccine against HAPI infections – Arepanrix H5N1 A/American wigeon clade 2.3.4.4b.

This U.S. FDA-approved vaccine will be part of Canada's contingency planning. PHAC will provide vaccines to provinces and territories using an equitable and risk-based approach. Sixty percent of available doses will go to provinces and territories, and 40 percent will be kept in a federal stockpile.

It is common to detect avian influenza in wild birds, as viruses circulate freely in those populations without the birds appearing sick. While the current risk to the public remains low, individuals with higher-level exposure to infected animals are at increased risk for avian influenza.

Dr. Theresa Tam, Canada's Chief Public Health Officer, commented in a press release, "By making human vaccines against avian influenza  available for potential use in individuals at increased risk of exposure to avian influenza as part of our readiness, we are enhancing our capacity to protect people in Canada and respond  rapidly to emerging public health challenges."

The health agencies of the United States, the United Kingdom, Japan, Europe, and China have already approved and purchased avian influenza vaccines.