Britain launches vaccine trial against ‘evolving’ bird flu amid pandemic fears

Britain launches vaccine trial against ‘evolving’ bird flu amid pandemic fearsDangerous new clade of bird flu is mutating to infect more animals throughout Europe so a UK government-backed trial is developing a new mRNA vaccine against itCommentsNewsMartin Bagot Health and Science Editor00:00, 22 Apr 2026View 3 ImagesBritish scientists are preparing a modifiable mRNA vaccine for the next pandemic (Image: Getty Images)UK scientists warn bird flu is mutating as they trial a new mRNA vaccine to protect the country against a potential pandemic.‌The government-backed trial will test the vaccine on 3,000 Brits and 1,000 Americans as avian flu, known as H5N1, develops the ability to infect more mammals. Scientists told a media briefing in central London they are analysing a dangerous clade, called 2.3.4.4b, which has spread through animals in Europe amid fears it could “jump” to humans.‌The trial of the new jab, developed by Moderna, will look at whether it develops a strong immune response and poultry farmers will be encouraged to enroll to protect themselves.‌View 3 ImagesPoultry test samples collected from a farm located in a control area where bird flu has been detected(Image: Getty Images)READ MORE: Covid inquiry finds UK led world on vaccines - but minority were harmedREAD MORE: Covid cicada variant: Symptoms of BA.3.2 lineage 'set to become dominant' in UKExperts fear Bird flu has pandemic potential and want to develop an mRNA vaccine against it as this technology can be more rapidly mass produced.Dr Richard Pebody, director of emerging infections at the UK Health Security Agency, said: “We clearly don't know when the next pandemic is going to be… but what we do know is that the flu pandemic is the most likely future pandemic. It's really critical that we ensure we're properly prepared.‌“Four of the past five respiratory pandemics over the past century since 1918 have been due to flu… because flu is a virus that is constantly evolving and mu...