Volunteers are needed for a new trial looking for an effective vaccine to protect against a potential avian flu pandemic.
Experts from the University of Nottingham will be delivering part of the trial from the Cripps Health Centre on the University Park Campus in Beeston in Nottingham.
The new trial will look at an mRNA vaccine against (H5N1) bird flu in humans, looking at how effecting the vaccine is against the virus, to protect the country against a potential future pandemic
The large trial is supported by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) and is sponsored by Moderna. It is part of its UK government strategic partnership, managed by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA).
The study is also supported by Moderna's collaboration with the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI).
The phase 3 trial will involve around 4,000 adult volunteers aged 18 and over in the UK and USA, with 3,000 being recruited in the UK.
Bird flu is currently transmitted between affected birds and various mammals. Whilst the virus does not easily spread to humans, and transmission between people is very rare, there is a risk that the virus could adapt. This could make it more transmissible to or between humans.
Since 2024, there have been 116 confirmed human cases across the world. Almost all are linked to close contact with infected animals.
This study aims to provide crucial evidence on whether the investigational vaccine can generate strong immune responses to protect against currently circulating and emerging strains of H5N1. This will help the UK prepare for future pandemics and apply system-wide learnings from Covid-19.
Nottingham will be one of 26 sites across the UK administering the vaccine.
Professor David Turner, from the School of Medicine and Principal Investigator for the trial, said: "We are delighted to be part of the trial of this Avian influenza vaccine, which is important to prepare the U.K. for a future pandemic."
