The individuals who worked in an egg layer facility in Colorado were confirmed to have H5N1 and they have reported mild symptoms without hospitalizations.
Paul Radspinner, MBA, president and CEO of FluGen, addresses the safety profile, noting the low adverse event rates highlighting the safety and tolerability of the H3N2 M2SR influenza vaccine.
Adults 65 and older account for 70–85% of annual influenza-related deaths in the USA, underscoring the need for improved vaccine options, as current injectable vaccines show modest efficacy in many seasons.
The $176 million award is for late-stage development of widespread immunization capability against H5 (avian) influenza, should such vaccines be needed.
The case occurred to a man in Colorado who had direct contact with cattle and state public health officials offer details on the patient as well as the risk to the public.