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Is Avian Influenza a scam to sell vaccines? The antivaxxers are hard at work downplaying the the recent spread of Avian Influenza and preemptively discouraging vaccination claiming it is merely a scam to sell vaccines. For the record,  in case reports and case series, clinical features of severe Avian Influenza include fulminant pneumonia, respiratory failure, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), septic shock, multiorgan failure, rhabdomyolysis, disseminated intravascular coagulation, and encephalopathy. In one study including 111 patients hospitalized with avian influenza A H7N9 infection in China, 77 percent were admitted to an intensive care unit and 27 percent died. The most common presenting clinical manifestations were fever (100 percent) and cough (90 percent). The majority of patients had sputum production (56 percent) and shortness of breath (56 percent). Some (14 percent) had diarrhea or vomiting. At the time of admission, 97 percent had findings consistent with pneumonia. No patients had conjunctivitis, in contrast with past outbreaks of avian influenza H7 infection in the Netherlands and elsewhere. The most common complications were moderate to severe ARDS (in 71 percent), shock (26 percent), acute kidney injury (16 percent), and rhabdomyolysis (10 percent). The median time from onset of illness to ARDS was 7 days (range 1 to 19 days) and from illness onset to shock was 8 days (range 3 to 55 days). Of the 79 patients with ARDS, 65 required mechanical ventilation, and, of these, 20 went on to receive extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. On multivariate analysis, the presence of a coexisting medical condition was the only independent risk factor for the development of moderate to severe ARDS (odds ratio 3.4, 95% CI 1.2-9.7). Seasonal flu vaccines do not provide protection against avian influenza A viruses. CDC has developed H5 candidate vaccine viruses (CVVs) that are nearly identical or, in many cases, identical to the hemagglutinin (HA) protein of recently detected clade 2.3.4.4b avian influenza A(H5N1) viruses in humans, birds and other mammals. These H5 CVVs could be used to produce a vaccine for people, if needed, and preliminary analysis show that they are expected to provide good protection against avian influenza A(H5N1) viruses currently circulating in birds and other animals. This disease has upwards of 27% mortality. Don't listen to antivaxxers on this and don't share their misinformation.

📃Scientific paper: Plant crude extracts containing oligomeric hemagglutinins protect chickens against highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Virus after one dose of immunization Abstract: Highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses (HPAIV) have been responsible for causing several severe outbreaks across the world. To protect poultry farms and to prevent the possible spread of new influenza pandemics, vaccines that are both efficacious and low-cost are in high demand. We produced stable, large hemagglutinin H5 oligomers in planta by the specific interaction between S•Tag and S•Protein . H5 oligomers combined via S•Tag::S•Protein interaction in plant crude extracts induced strong humoral immune responses, strong neutralizing antibody responses, and resistance in chickens after challenge with a wild type HPAIV H5 virus strain. In all three parameters, plant crude extracts with H5 oligomers induced better responses than crude extracts containing trimers. The neutralizing antibodies induced by by two-dose and one dose immunization with an adjuvanted crude extract containing H5 oligomer protected vaccinated chickens from two lethal H5N1 virus strains with the efficiency of 92% and 100%, respectively. Following housing vaccinated chickens together with ten non-immunized chickens, only one of these chickens had detectable levels of the H5N1 virus. To facilitate the easy storage of a candidate vaccine, the H5 oligomer crude extracts were mixed with adjuvants and stored for 3.5 and 5.5 months at 4 °C, and chickens were immunized with these crude extracts. All these vaccinated chickens survived after a lethal H5N1 virus challenge. H5 oligomer crude extracts are... Continued on ES/IODE ➡️ https://etcse.fr/KmD5 ------- If you find this interesting, feel free to follow, comment and share. We need your help to enhance our visibility, so that our platform continues to serve you.

The WOAH/FAO Network of Expertise on Animal Influenza (OFFLU) is organising a webinar on the Avian Influenza Matching (AIM) for Poultry Vaccines on 10 July. The event will introduce the OFFLU AIM project, provide a technical overview, discuss its limitations, and establish a feedback forum for stakeholders. The webinar will feature two slots to accommodate participants from different time zones. The first slot will take place at 9:00 – 10:00 CEST, while the second repeated slot, tailored for participants from Latin America and the Caribbean, will include Spanish translation and is scheduled for 16:00 – 17:00 CEST same day. Register to attend: https://lnkd.in/eKczr7be Launched in 2022, the OFFLU AIM provides up-to date information to the poultry sector, governments, and vaccine manufacturers on antigenic characteristics of circulating avian influenza viruses including comparisons with vaccine antigens. This information facilitates selection and updating of appropriate vaccines for poultry where it is being used/considered. The first OFFLU AIM report (https://lnkd.in/eu99PpBn), released in October 2023, highlighted potential antigenic changes in goose/Guangdong/1/96-lineage A(H5Nx) viruses HPAI viruses that may affect vaccine efficacy. The next report, expanding geographical representation, is due in July 2024. These reports assist decision-makers and FAO and WOAH Members in developing evidence-based guidelines and policies for effective vaccination strategies.

This sounds great, but how long would it take to get emergency use authorisation, and to scale up production sufficiently to protect us from an avian influenza pandemic...? Development of a nucleoside-modified mRNA vaccine against clade 2.3.4.4b H5 highly pathogenic avian influenza virus. Abstract mRNA lipid nanoparticle (LNP) vaccines would be useful during an influenza virus pandemic since they can be produced rapidly and do not require the generation of egg-adapted vaccine seed stocks. Highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses from H5 clade 2.3.4.4b are circulating at unprecedently high levels in wild and domestic birds and have the potential to adapt to humans. Here, we generate an mRNA lipid nanoparticle (LNP) vaccine encoding the hemagglutinin (HA) glycoprotein from a clade 2.3.4.4b H5 isolate. The H5 mRNA-LNP vaccine elicits strong T cell and antibody responses in female mice, including neutralizing antibodies and broadly-reactive anti-HA stalk antibodies. The H5 mRNA-LNP vaccine elicits antibodies at similar levels compared to whole inactivated vaccines in female mice with and without prior H1N1 exposures. Finally, we find that the H5 mRNA-LNP vaccine is immunogenic in male ferrets and prevents morbidity and mortality of animals following 2.3.4.4b H5N1 challenge. Together, our data demonstrate that a monovalent mRNA-LNP vaccine expressing 2.3.4.4b H5 is immunogenic and protective in pre-clinical animal models.

HHS awards Moderna $176 million to develop mRNA H5 avian flu vaccine | The US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through its Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), today announced that it has awarded Moderna $176 million to develop a prepandemic vaccine against H5 avian influenza. [Kaiser Health News & Univ. of MN] In its announcement, HHS said the award helps bolster the nation's pandemic flu vaccine capacity, which currently relies on an older traditional vaccine platform. Moderna will leverage its domestic large-scale commercial mRNA vaccine manufacturing platforms and ongoing development of mRNA-based seasonal flu vaccines. The award comes as officials confirm more H5N1 avian flu in US cattle and poultry. Phase 3 trials could begin next year Dawn O'Connell, JD, assistant secretary for preparedness and response at HHS, said the $176 million represents the base award and the agreement contains other options that allow the government to quickly pivot funding to other mRNA vaccines when new flu strains or other disease threats emerge. She said the H5 vaccine is in clinical development and that phase 3 trials could begin in 2025. The award also includes an option for large-scale production and pandemic response. At today's briefing, Robert Johnson, PhD, director of medical countermeasures at BARDA, said it's too early to project production capacity. He said the number will depend on dosing information, which should be available later this year. Moderna said in a statement today that in 2023 it launched a phase 1/2 clinical trial of an investigational pandemic flu vaccine in healthy adults, which included candidates against H5 and H7 viruses, and results are expected this year. Meanwhile, fill-and-finish activity continues on vaccine from bulk stocks of candidate cell-based adjuvanted H5 vaccine made by CSL Seqirus, and O'Connell said the first of 4.8 million doses will be available in the middle of July, with production continuing through August. This is faster than the government had anticipated. Officials weigh early vaccine use for high-risk groups As vaccine production and planning continues, federal officials are in ongoing discussions about how to best protect farm workers and others exposed to cattle. More>https://lnkd.in/gMkUJphc #vaccines #covid #publichealth #communityhealth #populationhealth #socialchange #medicine #dental #healthcare  

📃Scientific paper: Quick and improved immune responses to inactivated H9N2 avian influenza vaccine by purified active fraction of Albizia julibrissin saponins Abstract: BACKGROUND: H9N2 Low pathogenic avian influenza virus (LPAIV) raises public health concerns and its eradication in poultry becomes even more important in preventing influenza. AJSAF is a purified active saponin fraction from the stem bark of Albizzia julibrissin. In this study, AJSAF was evaluated for the adjuvant potentials on immune responses to inactivated H9N2 avian influenza virus vaccine (IH9V) in mice and chicken in comparison with commercially oil-adjuvant. RESULTS: AJSAF significantly induced faster and higher H9 subtype avian influenza virus antigen (H9–Ag)-specific IgG, IgG1, IgG2a and IgG2b antibody titers in mice and haemagglutination inhibition (HI) and IgY antibody levels in chicken immunized with IH9V. AJSAF also markedly promoted Con A-, LPS- and H9–Ag-stimulated splenocyte proliferation and natural killer cell activity. Furthermore, AJSAF significantly induced the production of both Th1 (IL-2 and IFN-γ) and Th2 (IL-10) cytokines, and up-regulated the mRNA expression levels of Th1 and Th2 cytokines and transcription factors in splenocytes from the IH9V-immunized mice. Although oil-formulated inactivated H9N2 avian influenza vaccine (CH9V) also elicited higher H9–Ag-specific IgG and IgG1 in mice and HI antibody titer in chicken, this robust humoral response was later produced. Moreover, serum IgG2a and IgG2b antibody titers in CH9V-immunized mice were significantly lower than those of IH9V alone group. CONCLUSIONS: AJSAF could improve antigen-specifi... Continued on ES/IODE ➡️ https://etcse.fr/OUB ------- If you find this interesting, feel free to follow, comment and share. We need your help to enhance our visibility, so that our platform continues to serve you.

Pandemic preparedness through vaccine development for avian influenza viruses. ABSTRACT Influenza A viruses pose a significant threat to global health, impacting both humans and animals. Zoonotic transmission, particularly from swine and avian species, is the primary source of human influenza outbreaks. Notably, avian influenza viruses of the H5N1, H7N9, and H9N2 subtypes are of pandemic concern through their global spread and sporadic human infections. Preventing and controlling these viruses is critical due to their high threat level. Vaccination remains the most effective strategy for influenza prevention and control in humans, despite varying vaccine efficacy across strains. This review focuses specifically on pandemic preparedness for avian influenza viruses. We delve into vaccines tested in animal models and summarize clinical trials conducted on H5N1, H7N9, and H9N2 vaccines in humans. https://lnkd.in/eVF9tCDW

HHS awards Moderna $176 million to develop mRNA H5 avian flu vaccine | The US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through its Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), today announced that it has awarded Moderna $176 million to develop a prepandemic vaccine against H5 avian influenza. [Kaiser Health News & Univ. of MN] In its announcement, HHS said the award helps bolster the nation's pandemic flu vaccine capacity, which currently relies on an older traditional vaccine platform. Moderna will leverage its domestic large-scale commercial mRNA vaccine manufacturing platforms and ongoing development of mRNA-based seasonal flu vaccines. The award comes as officials confirm more H5N1 avian flu in US cattle and poultry. Phase 3 trials could begin next year Dawn O'Connell, JD, assistant secretary for preparedness and response at HHS, said the $176 million represents the base award and the agreement contains other options that allow the government to quickly pivot funding to other mRNA vaccines when new flu strains or other disease threats emerge. She said the H5 vaccine is in clinical development and that phase 3 trials could begin in 2025. The award also includes an option for large-scale production and pandemic response. At today's briefing, Robert Johnson, PhD, director of medical countermeasures at BARDA, said it's too early to project production capacity. He said the number will depend on dosing information, which should be available later this year. Moderna said in a statement today that in 2023 it launched a phase 1/2 clinical trial of an investigational pandemic flu vaccine in healthy adults, which included candidates against H5 and H7 viruses, and results are expected this year. Meanwhile, fill-and-finish activity continues on vaccine from bulk stocks of candidate cell-based adjuvanted H5 vaccine made by CSL Seqirus, and O'Connell said the first of 4.8 million doses will be available in the middle of July, with production continuing through August. This is faster than the government had anticipated. Officials weigh early vaccine use for high-risk groups As vaccine production and planning continues, federal officials are in ongoing discussions about how to best protect farm workers and others exposed to cattle. More>https://lnkd.in/gMkUJphc #achieve #blackleadership #latinoleaders #vaccines #covid #publichealth #communityhealth #populationhealth #socialchange #medicine #dental #healthcare

This study evaluates bird-adapted self-amplifying mRNA vaccine formulations in chickens to combat highly pathogenic avian influenza A virus (AIV) and infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV) infections. Conventional vaccines have limitations, necessitating versatile vaccine platforms. The study engineered Tembusu virus (TMUV) replicons and compared them to Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus (VEEV) replicons. TMUV replicons exhibited robust and prolonged transgene expression and induced lesser cytopathic effects compared to VEEV replicons. DNA-launched versions of TMUV and VEEV replicons successfully expressed AIV and IBDV proteins. TMUV replicons induced IBDV-specific seroconversion in vaccinated chickens, highlighting their potential for combating emerging poultry diseases. #VaccineResearch #AvianInfluenza #SelfAmplifyingmRNA #PoultryHealth 🐔🦠💉

Preparing for Pandemics: Vaccine Development for Avian Influenza Viruses Influenza A viruses, especially those originating from avian and swine species, pose a grave global health threat to both humans and animals. Among them, subtypes like H5N1, H7N9, and H9N2 are particularly concerning due to their potential for pandemic outbreaks and sporadic human infections worldwide. Given their high-risk status, it's imperative to prevent and control these viruses effectively. Vaccination stands out as the most powerful tool in this endeavor, despite varying efficacy levels across different strains. This review zeroes in on pandemic preparedness concerning avian influenza viruses. We explore vaccines tested in animal models and provide insights from clinical trials conducted on H5N1, H7N9, and H9N2 vaccines in humans. #PandemicPreparedness #VaccineDevelopment #AvianInfluenza #PublicHealth 🦠💉🐦🌍👩⚕️ https://lnkd.in/djEAT-sK