Avian Influenza Vaccines Could Arrive in August 2024

According to an email from an Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response spokesperson on July 15, 2024, the first H5N1 avian influenza vaccine doses are scheduled to roll off the line next week, with the remaining doses following through August 2024.'

Other steps besides filling and finishing the vaccine, such as policy and regulatory decisions, must occur before the vaccine is released for public use.

Avian influenza vaccination has not been recommended for any population segment, and the U.S. government continues to monitor the situation.

Currently, the CDC evaluates the overall risk to human health as low.

On June 27, 2024, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed during its vaccine committee meeting that an avian vaccination program was inactive.

As of July 17, 2024, the U.S. and European (Finland) governments have approved various avian influenza vaccines and recently awarded millions of dollars in vaccine candidate development contracts. Previous U.S. FDA-approved avian vaccines have reported measurable side effects.