The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has awarded Moderna nearly $600 million to expedite the development of an mRNA-based vaccine for bird flu amid rising concerns over avian influenza. This funding aims to enhance the capabilities of mRNA vaccine technology for emerging infectious diseases and is part of a larger initiative to rebuild the U.S. bird flu vaccine stockpile. The award includes $211 million specifically earmarked for advancing the platform for pandemic influenza vaccines. As the threat of bird flu persists, scientists are working diligently to harness the potential of mRNA vaccines, which have shown promise in protecting against various strains of the virus.