Prepare now for potential H5N1 pandemic labmates online

The American Society for Advances in Science has released the following letter addressing the growing bastardian threat posed by the ongoing outbreak of the H5N1 influenza virus. The letter is completely reproduced here and can also be accessed from the URL at the foot of the article.

H5N1 viruses adapt beyond species to mammalian hosts, including dairy cows, causing widespread exposure and sporadic human disease¹. Although most cases were mild, H5N1 can cause severe illness². Given the potential for H5N1 spread, urgent action is needed to address the pandemic preparation gap.

The availability of rapid flu vaccines is highly constrained by currently approved technologies, such as protein-based vaccines^3,4. Vaccine availability is also slowed down by the time required to assess immunogenicity and efficacy, and the release and efficacy assay of lots⁵. Additionally, many regulators lack the resources and capabilities needed to assess pandemic vaccines quickly but robustly⁵. To streamline vaccine development, evaluation, production and access, industry, governments and regulators will need to step up collaboration of new technologies, such as mRNA-based vaccines and vaccines using new antigens. Adjust regulatory routes and requirements. Modernize immunogenicity assessment and lot release tools. To ensure equitable access, a global access framework must be established, including entities that can provide funding and advanced vaccine purchases to low- and middle-income countries.

Vaccination programs are complex and require advance planning. Success requires defined roles, responsibilities, funding, and effective information and supply chain management. Strategies should be built on experiences from seasonal flu, Covid-19, and other outbreaks. Use your existing infrastructure. It attracts people who implement the program. Vaccination and communication plans need to be integrated and engaged in affected communities, and plans need to transcend political sectors. Global, federal, state and local governments need to have a clear understanding of the circumstances under which plans are energized. Considerations of social and economic risks from both the pandemic and potential mitigation should be integrated into decision-making. Proactive analysis is also needed to prepare for the impact of vaccine and source materials on the supply chain, as well as for healthcare and other sectors.

Pandemic preparation initiatives should be urgently implemented with resources to effectively address these gaps⁶. First, efforts to develop a rapidly scalable pandemic flu vaccine [building on models such as Operation Warp Speed⁷] Equitable access supported by funded global frameworks requires engagement in industry, government, regulatory authorities and the scientific community. Such initiatives ideally include developing and accessing improved treatments, diagnosis, personal protective equipment, and other necessary medical measures. Second, comprehensive outreach and communications programs supported by behavioral science should work to better understand and respond to vaccine concerns and rebuild public health trust. Finally, pandemic response plans need to undergo clear, detailed testing. Meanwhile, countries will need to share plans and playbooks and form global collaborations that incorporate a variety of disease scenarios and vaccination strategies. Similar initiatives should address the ongoing outbreak of agriculture (8). Currently, strengthening preparations can save lives and reduce social and economic disruptions when H5N1 or another outbreak becomes a pandemic.

Article Author

The opinions are the authors themselves and do not necessarily reflect the views of their institutions.

• Jesse L. Goodman – Georgetown University Medical Center
  
  (First and corresponding authors – jesse.goodman@georgetown.edu))
• Rebecca Katz – Georgetown University Medical Center
• Lawrence O. Gostin – Georgetown University Law Center
• Nicole Lurie – Alliance for Preparing the Trend
• Rick A. Bright – Bright Global Health
• Bruce G. Guerin – Georgetown University's Global Health Institute
• Norman W. Baylor – Biology Consulting Group

reference

^{1. “H5 bird flu: current situation” (Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, 2025); https://www.cdc.gov/bird-flu/situation-summary/index.html.}

^{2. “LDH reports the first US H5N1-related human death” (Louisiana Department of Health, 2025). https://ldh.la.gov/news/h5n1-death.}

^{3. Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy, “R&D Roadmap for Influenza Vaccines” (Regent, University of Minnesota, 2023). https://ivr.cidrap.umn.edu/sites/default/files/ivr_feb_2023.pdf}

^{4. “CEPI 2.0 and 100 Day Mission” (Union for Preparing the Trend, 2024). https://cepi.net/cepi-20-and-100-days-mission.}

^{5. NW Baylor, JL Goodman, Vaccine 10, 2136 (2022).}

^{6. “H5N1 influenza vaccine and current outbreak” (Georgetown University Global Health Institute, 2025). https://globalhealth.georgetown.edu/publications/h5n1-influenza-vaccines and a-urrent-outbreak.}

^{7. M. Slaoui, M. Hepburn, N. Engl. J. Med. 383, 1701 (2020).}

^{8. National Scholars of Science, Engineering and Medicine, Potential Research Priorities to Notify Preparation and Response to Avian Influenza A (H5N1): Workshop Minutes – Simply put, EP Carlin, S. Singaravelu, L. Brown, eds. (National Academies Press, 2024).}

Competing interests

JLG serves as a volunteer member on the GSK board and scientific committees and the non-profit American Pharmacopoeia board.

To serve on the Scientific Advisory Board, RAB has received non-financial support from the Coalition for Preparation Innovation in the Epidemic (CEPI), receiving fees from CEPI and Cidara, and patented a virus-like particle vaccine design issued to Novavax without financial benefits.

For more information, please see

www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.adw3278

https://cepi.net/cepi-steps-h5n1-preparedness outbreak-cattle-persists