Researchers developed an avian flu vaccine platform that generates immunity in the respiratory tract and bloodstream to combat H5N1.
RT’s Three Key Takeaways:
- Dual-Route Immunity: The vaccine platform uses both intramuscular and intranasal delivery to generate protection in the bloodstream and the respiratory tract, preventing both systemic spread and animal-to-animal transmission.
- Cross-Species Efficacy: Preclinical models in mice and dairy calves demonstrated strong immune responses and complete protection against severe disease from multiple H5N1 strains.
- Public Health Implications: By protecting livestock and reducing the viral load in agricultural settings, the vaccine could limit opportunities for H5N1 to adapt and spread to humans.
University of Nebraska–Lincoln researchers developed a vaccine approach that protects against highly pathogenic bird flu, showing efficacy in mice and cattle, according to the university.
Avian influenza (H5N1) has disrupted global agricultural systems and led to the culling of more than 166 million commercial poultry birds in the US since 2022. In 2024, the virus spread to dairy cattle and subsequently caused illness in approximately 70 farm workers who had close contact with infected animals.
The research, which will be published in NPJ Vaccines, was led by Eric Weaver, professor of biological sciences and director of the Nebraska Center for Virology, along with postdoctoral fellows Joshua Wiggins, and Adthakorn Madapong. The vaccine platform is designed to protect against multiple H5N1 strains and generate immunity in both the bloodstream and the respiratory tract.
“The idea was that if we put it intramuscularly, we can prevent it from spreading in the body, and then a mucosal aspect, intranasally, would prevent it from spreading from animal to animal,” said Eric Weaver, professor of biological sciences and director of the Nebraska Center for Virology.
In preclinical models, the vaccine produced strong immune responses and complete protection against severe disease. Researchers vaccinated calves at one week of age using a combination of intramuscular and intranasal delivery, followed by a booster four weeks later. In separate experiments, vaccinated mice were fully protected against lethal infection from multiple H5N1 strains.
Currently, there are no licensed H5N1 vaccines for cattle. Protecting livestock could reduce economic losses for producers and limit the ability of the virus to adapt and spread to humans.
“We’d like to have a vaccine for the farm and the farmer, and everything shows that this would be an effective vaccine platform for humans, as well,” said Weaver.
Weaver is currently seeking funding and partnerships to further evaluate the vaccine and develop a multispecies option. He noted that as diseases continue to cross species barriers, this research is critical for global healthcare and agricultural safety.
“Historically, these things will move into other species if there is extended contact long enough for the evolution to occur,” said Weaver. “Influenza A viruses have never been an issue in cattle, but it is now, and it’s not going away.”
