Federal government looks to create bulk bird flu vaccine [Video]

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (KCRG) – A vaccine to prevent bird flu in humans is a strategy that could have a big impact on Iowa farms which is a top producer of poultry in the country.

The federal government is investing over $70 million to make a bird flu vaccine to inoculate people. Sam Jarvis with the Johnson County Department of Public Health says the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority is designed to ensure bird flu vaccines are created just in case.

Jarvis says it’s like the COVID-19 vaccine. Researchers had a jump start on crafting that vaccine against a coronavirus virus. Jarvis said starting from scratch in the world of vaccines can take years to develop a viable product. So, starting now will shave down the timeline and potentially save lives.

“This is really part of that infrastructure where we see our federal partners looking to prepare and make …