Context:

WHO has launched a new project to speed up the development of vaccines for human bird flu infections (H5N1) in poorer countries, utilising advanced mRNA technology.

More on the News:

• This initiative is led by the Argentinian manufacturer Sinergium Biotech in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO).
• WHO said the project would be rolled out through the mRNA technology transfer program it established with the UN-backed Medicines Patent Pool (MPP) in 2021
• The project aims to bolster vaccine production capabilities in low and middle-income countries (LMICs).
• The bird flu H5N1 first emerged in 1996, but since 2020, outbreaks in birds have grown exponentially, with the virus also increasingly spreading to mammals. This has raised concerns about its potential to trigger a future pandemic.

Bird Flu

• Avian influenza, commonly called “bird flu,” is a viral infection that usually spreads in birds but can sometimes spread to humans. Influenza A(H5N1) is the most common cause in humans. It can cause severe respiratory symptoms. People who work with poultry, waterfowl (like geese and ducks) and livestock are most at risk.

Symptoms in Humans

• Similar to regular flu: fever, cough, sore throat, muscle aches.
• Can be severe, leading to pneumonia, respiratory failure, and death.

mRNA Vaccines

• mRNA stands for messenger ribonucleic acid, a molecule that carries genetic instructions from DNA to ribosomes, where proteins are made. mRNA vaccines utilise this natural process to stimulate an immune response without introducing the actual virus.   

How do mRNA vaccines work?  

1. Delivery: The mRNA vaccine is injected into the body.   
2. Cell Entry: The mRNA enters cells and provides instructions for making a specific viral protein, often a spike protein found on the virus's surface.   
3. Protein Production: The cell follows the mRNA's instructions to produce the viral protein.   
4. Immune Response: The immune system recognises the viral protein as foreign and produces antibodies and immune cells to fight it off.   

Key Advantages of mRNA Vaccines

• Rapid Development: mRNA vaccines can be developed much faster than traditional vaccines, making them ideal for emerging diseases like COVID-19.   
• Precision: Scientists can precisely target the specific part of the virus they want the immune system to recognise.
• Safety: mRNA vaccines do not contain any live virus or weakened virus components.   
• Flexibility: With mRNA technology, manufacturing facilities can produce a variety of vaccines and therapeutics, ensuring continued use and sustainability even if specific threats diminish.