Bird flu vaccine trial launches to prepare for potential pandemic

Researchers have delivered the UK’s first dose in a new trial using an investigational mRNA vaccine to protect people against potential influenza pandemics such as avian flu (also known as ‘bird flu’).

The research will assess the safety and immune response of an investigational mRNA-based A(H5) pandemic influenza vaccine candidate, mRNA-1018, commonly circulating in birds, with pandemic potential.

The study is supported by NIHR and 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).

This large-scale, phase 3 trial will involve around 4,000 adult volunteers aged 18 and over in the UK and USA. 3,000 patients (75%) recruited will be in the UK.

L-R: Bird flu vaccine trial participant, Clare, from Hampshire and Laura Presland, Senior Research Sister, at Southampton Research Hub

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.

There will be 26 sites across the UK administering the vaccine. In line with the government's hospital-to-community shift, the study is being delivered at various community clinics across England and Scotland.

For more information on this new A(H5N1) vaccine trial, visit the NIHR’s Be Part of Research service. 

This trial forms part of a wider response to tackling bird flu. Vaccine trials have already started to help protect poultry in the UK, following the recent outbreaks.

Dr Rebecca Clark, the trial’s National Co-ordinating Investigator based at Layton Medical Centre, Blackpool said:

"We know that the A(H5N1) strain is evolving and spreading across animal species, and though it does not yet move easily between humans, we have to treat human-to-human transmission as a real possibility. This trial is our proactive attempt to shield against that possibility, and any future pandemic that could emerge from it.

"With recruitment sites across the country, we have shifted from traditional hospital settings into the heart of our communities, helping ensure the research can be carried out across a range of locations and populations.

“This work is an important part of strengthening our understanding of how we can respond to emerging public health threats and improve pandemic preparedness for the future.”

Professor Lucy Chappell, Chief Scientific Adviser at the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) and Chief Executive Officer of the NIHR said:

"This important trial is a testament to the power of the UK’s strategic partnership with Moderna. By combining world-leading technology with the UK’s unparalleled research infrastructure, we are bolstering our pandemic resilience.

"Central to this effort is the NIHR's Be Part of Research registry, which offers people a quick and easy way of taking part in some of the UK's most exciting research. With over 700,000 people signed up so far, it is a key pillar of the UK's research landscape."   

"This trial proves that when the public, the government, and industry collaborate through the NIHR, we can accelerate the journey from laboratory to clinic - protecting public health both in the UK and across the world."

Darius Hughes, UK General Manager at Moderna, said: 

“This study is an important example of how Moderna’s strategic partnership with the UK government can support pandemic preparedness in practice. By advancing research on an investigational mRNA vaccine against pandemic influenza and supporting rapid clinical trial delivery in the UK, we are helping build the evidence, experience and readiness that can inform future responses to emerging public health threats.”

Health Innovation and Safety Minister, Dr Zubir Ahmed, said:

“This trial is a powerful example of UK science and the NHS working at their best - and it shows just how far we've come. Bird flu is a threat we continue to take seriously, and this mRNA vaccine trial puts us ahead of the curve.

“Just last week, we announced that average clinical trial set-up times have fallen from 169 days to 122 days — and today's news shows exactly what that progress means in practice. The first trial participant was enrolled in less than half the time of our 150-day target. That is not just a statistic; it is faster access to potentially life-saving vaccines for people across the country.

“This is proactive, science‑led pandemic preparedness in action - building the capability now so we have the best possible chance of protecting people quickly if the virus does begin to spread between humans.”

If you are interested in taking part in the trial at the Royal Bournemouth Hospital This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Vaccine Innovation

mRNA forms part of every human cell. It is the way in which the instructions in our genes (DNA) are used to make certain specific proteins. When used in vaccines, mRNA delivers the instructions for replicating proteins identical to those found in a particular virus. In this case, bird flu. Once replicated, it is hoped that our immune system will recognise it as a foreign body and produce antibodies that will attack the protein if they encounter it in an actual virus.

The study is being run as part of the UK Vaccine Innovation Pathway - a UK-wide Clinical Trial Accelerator. This expedites vaccine trial set-up and delivery and takes vaccine trials closer to where people live. The first participant was enrolled into the trial in less than half the time of the government's 150 day study set-up goal. 

The trial is supported by the NIHR’s Agile Research Delivery Team, who play a key role in delivering research in communities.

Antibiotics and MenB vaccination to be offered to young people in Dorset - Update 20 April 2026

UKHSA is continuing to work with Dorset Council, NHS and local partners to support the roll out of antibiotics and vaccination to young people in Weymouth, Dorset after three cases of MenB were confirmed in the area. As of 8pm on 19 April, more than 1,800 pupils at Budmouth Academy and Wey Valley Academy have been given antibiotics, out of a total of 2,500 students offered them at these schools.  

All three cases have now been discharged from hospital and there are no further suspected or confirmed cases to date.

In total, 6,500 young people in years 7-13 (or equivalent) across Weymouth, Portland and Chickerell will be offered both antibiotics and vaccination as a precautionary measure. From today, further rollout continues with students attending All Saints Academy being offered antibiotics as a precaution.

For anyone eligible but not in full-time education in Weymouth, Portland and Chickerell, they can access antibiotics from Tuesday afternoon at All Saints Academy.

Dr Beth Smout, UKHSA Deputy Director, said:

“We are really pleased to see such high uptake of the antibiotic offer over the weekend. Antibiotics are the best course of action if there is a chance you have been exposed to meningococcal bacteria, with MenB vaccination offering longer term protection against becoming seriously ill.

“Thanks to the swift action from Dorset Council, local partners and NHS staff, over 6500 young people in the area will be able to access antibiotics, with vaccination to follow in the coming weeks.

“Thankfully we have seen no further cases of meningitis, but it’s still important to recognise the signs and symptoms. Symptoms can include a fever, headache, rapid breathing, drowsiness, shivering, vomiting and cold hands and feet. Septicaemia can also cause a characteristic rash that does not fade when pressed against a glass. If the disease is suspected, you should seek immediate medical attention as the disease can progress rapidly.”

Dawn Dawson, Chief Nursing Officer of Dorset HealthCare and Dorset County Hospital, said:

"I’d like to thank all of the families, NHS colleagues and all partners who have worked so hard to help us to deliver the antibiotics to the children and young people of Weymouth at such speed over the weekend. 

“It has been an amazing multi-agency response, and we continue to work together to make sure that antibiotics and vaccinations reach the remainder of the children and young people in the eligible population this week."

Anyone attending Atlantic Academy, Kingston Maurward Academy and Coastland Academy will be invited for antibiotics and vaccination this week.

Anyone who has not been able to access antibiotics and vaccination in schools, including those who are home educated, not in education or training and those who reside in Weymouth but attend a school outside of the area, can access antibiotics and vaccination at the following times:

• At All Saints Academy between 4-8pm on Tuesday 21 to Friday 24 April

Thousands of young people in the Weymouth, Portland and Chickerell areas of Dorset are receiving antibiotics and vaccinations for Meningitis B following three cases in the area.

Dorset HealthCare is rolling out the programme to 6,500 eligible young people to help prevent further spread of the disease.

With just two days’ notice, the trust initially stood up an antibiotic clinic last weekend for students at Budmouth and Wey Valley Academies, where the young people who had contracted the disease are pupils. Those three young people have been receiving treatment and their close contacts have been offered antibiotics.

Earlier this week, the service moved to an in-school model, delivering both antibiotics and vaccinations to All Saints Academy, Budmouth Academy and Wey Valley Academy so far with Atlantic Academy, Coastland Academy and special educational needs schools being covered throughout the rest of the week.

There are also evening clinics every day from 4pm-8pm at All Saints Academy for anyone else in the target age group who lives in Weymouth but doesn’t attend one of these settings or who goes to schools elsewhere or isn’t in full time education.

Hundreds of staff from Dorset HealthCare and other Dorset organisations have come forward to offer their help delivering the service and Dorset Council has been working closely with schools to share information and invitations to the clinics.

By the end of Tuesday (21 April) a total of 2,520 antibiotics had been issued and 1,326 vaccinations given.

Dawn Dawson, Chief Nursing Officer at Dorset HealthCare and Dorset County Hospital, said:

“Our staff have been amazing in stepping up to this challenge at short notice and we’ve also had a fantastic response from all our partners across the local NHS, councils and voluntary sector.

“This has been a major logistical operation involving clinicians, incident managers, pharmacists, admin colleagues and many more who have all responded with a can-do attitude and our usual focus on delivering excellent patient care.

“A big thank you to parents, carers and families and of course the young people themselves for coming forward so promptly to get protected. I know how worrying this will be for many people and it’s been great to see the calm, practical response from our communities.”

Dr Beth Smout, Interim Deputy Director of Health Protection at UK Health Security Agency (HSA) South West said:

“We’ve been really impressed with the response in Dorset which has demonstrated the very best of partnership working. There has been a real sense of team and of all being in this together. I am very proud of our collective efforts, and grateful to everyone on the ground who is delivering such a responsive and agile service to the local community.

“We are really pleased to see such high uptake of the antibiotic offer over the weekend and start of this week alongside vaccinations. Antibiotics are the best course of action if there is a chance you have been exposed to meningococcal bacteria, with MenB vaccination offering longer term protection against becoming seriously ill.

“We are inviting anyone in this cohort to come forward when offered by their school, or to attend one of the evening clinics if you won’t be offered in school - this is really important to help protect against further cases.

“Thankfully we have seen no further cases of meningitis, but it’s still important to recognise the signs and symptoms. Symptoms can include a fever, headache, rapid breathing, drowsiness, shivering, vomiting and cold hands and feet. Septicaemia can also cause a characteristic rash that does not fade when pressed against a glass. If the disease is suspected, you should seek immediate medical attention as the disease can progress rapidly.”

Young people are eligible for antibiotics and the vaccine if:

• They are a resident in Weymouth or Portland or Chickerell and in current school years 7 to 13 (or equivalent), or anyone not in full time education who would be in one of these year groups, or

• They attend an educational setting in the Weymouth, Portland or Chickerell area and are in current school years 7 to 13 (or equivalent).

They should attend the clinic in their own school if possible but if they missed this, did not have an in-school clinic, are not in school or go to school out of area, they can attend any evening clinic (between 4pm – 8pm) at All Saints Academy, bringing their letter and proof of ID. Young people aged under 16 will need to be accompanied by a parent or carer.

Further information on Meningitis and symptoms to look out for is available on the UKHSA blog - UKHSA blog or the NHS website.

Antibiotics and MenB vaccination to be offered to young people in areas of Dorset following 3 cases of invasive meningococcal disease

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) is working with Dorset Council, the NHS and local partners following three confirmed cases of meningococcal infection (meningitis) in young people in Weymouth, Dorset.

The cases were confirmed between 20 March and 15 April. All have received treatment and are recovering well. Close contacts of the cases have already been offered antibiotics as a precaution.

Two of the cases attend Budmouth Academy, and the other attends Wey Valley Academy. Further information about the signs and symptoms of meningitis has been shared with students and parents of both schools.

Around 300 to 400 cases of meningococcal disease are diagnosed in England every year. These three cases have been confirmed as Meningitis B (MenB) and are the same sub-strain type, but a different sub-strain to the one detected recently in Kent.

The two cases who attend Budmouth Academy are contacts of each other, but currently no confirmed epidemiological link has been made between these cases and the third individual who attends Wey Valley. This may mean that this strain of MenB bacteria is transmitting more widely among young people in Weymouth.

Due to this, and as an additional precautionary measure, antibiotics and MenB vaccination will now be offered to young people currently in school years 7 to 13 across the Weymouth, Portland and Chickerell areas of Dorset.

Dr Beth Smout, UKHSA Deputy Director said: “We are working closely with partners to follow up and offer precautionary antibiotics to close contacts of the cases. However, meningococcal disease does not spread easily, and outbreaks like we have seen recently in Kent are rare. These cases are not linked to the Kent outbreak, and it is important to be aware that this outbreak is not on the same scale as we saw in Kent in terms of speed of transmission or severity.

“However, it is possible that we will see further cases linked to these latest cases in Weymouth and we understand that there will be concern among students, staff, parents and the local community as we widen our offer of antibiotics and vaccination. I’d like to stress that this is an additional precaution, and that we’re following national guidelines to reduce the risk of the infection spreading. School pupils and staff should attend school as normal if they remain well.”

UKHSA is now recommending a single dose of antibiotics and a meningitis B vaccine be offered to young people who live or go to school in the Weymouth area, as follows:

• Anyone who is a resident in Weymouth or Portland or Chickerell and is in current school years 7 to 13 (or equivalent), or anyone not in full time education who would be in one of these year groups

 OR

• Anyone who attends an educational setting in the Weymouth, Portland or Chickerell area and is in current school years 7 to 13 (or equivalent).

This will be offered in stages starting with Budmouth Academy and Wey Valley schools, as the cases attend these settings. Pupils that attend other schools and other eligible children in Weymouth who do not attend school will be invited after the weekend.

Young people under 16 should be accompanied by a parent or guardian who is able to provide consent at the time.

More information on the vaccination schedule will be provided in due course.

Dr Smout added: “Meningococcal disease can progress rapidly, so it’s essential that everyone is alert to the signs and symptoms of meningococcal meningitis and septicaemia, which can include a fever, headache, rapid breathing, drowsiness, shivering, vomiting and cold hands and feet. Septicaemia can also cause a characteristic rash that does not fade when pressed against a glass. If the disease is suspected, you should seek immediate medical attention as the disease can progress rapidly.

“It’s also important for teenagers to ensure they take up the MenACWY vaccine routinely offered by the NHS – but also to be aware that this vaccine does not protect against Men B, which is why knowing the symptoms and seeking early treatment is so important.

“Young people in school years 7 to 13 in Weymouth are strongly encouraged to take up the offer of antibiotics and MenB vaccination and we are grateful to all those involved in our investigations so far for assisting us.”

UKHSA and Dorset Council have issued advice to staff, parents and carers at all educational settings in the area.

Anyone who becomes unwell with symptoms of meningitis and septicaemia should seek medical help urgently at the closest Accident and Emergency Department or by dialling 999. Early treatment can be lifesaving. If you're not sure if your symptoms are serious, use NHS 111 online or call 111 for further advice.