Canadian officials are currently in discussions with various pharmaceutical companies regarding the production of an avian flu vaccine for humans. While there is currently no avian influenza vaccine available for public use in Canada, officials are considering stockpiling human avian flu vaccines in the future. The Public Health Agency of Canada has been proactive in meeting with vaccine suppliers to discuss preparedness activities such as obtaining a candidate vaccine virus and the production of pre-pandemic vaccines. The bird flu virus has been spreading among animals in numerous countries since 2020, and steps are being taken to be prepared in case it mutates to become more deadly or transmissible.
Experts warn that while it is rare for the bird flu virus to spread to humans, the potential for mutation poses a significant health threat due to its lethality. Canadian authorities have increased surveillance of bird flu in dairy cows and milk, with testing confirming that Canada’s milk supply is currently free of avian flu fragments. Despite the low risk and lack of detected cases in Canada, experts emphasize the importance of early preparation for a potential bird flu pandemic. Lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic highlight the need to be proactive in vaccine development and distribution to prevent the spread of disease on a global scale.
The infrastructure to manufacture avian flu vaccines exists in Canada, but it is currently not being activated to avoid disrupting the production of seasonal flu vaccines. One of the challenges with vaccine production is ensuring that they are effective against the current strain of H5N1, which has the potential to mutate rapidly. The U.S. government has a stockpile of H5N1 vaccines and partnerships with pharmaceutical companies to scale up production if needed. CSL Seqirus and Moderna are among the companies working on manufacturing pre-pandemic avian flu vaccines that are well-matched to the current circulating strain of H5N1.
In the event of a potential bird flu pandemic, the World Health Organization is prepared to trigger and ramp up vaccine production. Dr. Maria Van Kerkhove, director of pandemic preparedness with the WHO, emphasized the ongoing risk assessment of viruses and candidate vaccine viruses that could be used for production. While billions of bird flu vaccines could be produced within the first year of triggering production, the current focus is on ensuring that the vaccines are effective against the current strain of H5N1. Producing pandemic H5 vaccines would require halting the production of seasonal flu vaccines, necessitating careful consideration and coordination.
Overall, the discussions and preparations regarding avian flu vaccines highlight the importance of early intervention and global collaboration in preventing potential pandemics. While the risk of transmission is currently low, experts stress the need for proactive measures to address any future threats posed by the bird flu virus. By engaging with pharmaceutical companies, government agencies, and international organizations such as the WHO, efforts are being made to ensure that vaccines are available and effective in the event of a bird flu pandemic. Coordination, ongoing surveillance, and timely action are key in mitigating the potential risks associated with the spread of avian flu.
