Canada buys 500,000 doses of H5N1 avian influenza vaccine for those most at risk -- 2/19/25

[Commonground]

Feb 19, 2025
Government of Canada purchases avian influenza vaccine to protect individuals most at risk



From: Public Health Agency of Canada News release


February 19, 2025 | Ottawa, ON | Public Health Agency of Canada

The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) and its partners are focused on keeping people and animals in Canada safe and ensuring Canada is ready for any potential health threats. This includes taking proactive measures to protect the health of people in Canada by authorizing and securing the supply of a human vaccine against avian influenza as part of our readiness and potential use, as needed, based on risk conditions. Leveraging an existing agreement, PHAC has secured an initial supply of 500,000 doses of GSK’s human vaccine against avian influenza – ArepanrixTM H5N1 A/American wigeon clade 2.3.4.4b. This vaccine will be used as part of Canada’s contingency planning to protect people who may be at increased risk of being exposed to the virus through animals infected with avian influenza.

While the current risk to the public remains low, individuals with higher-level exposure to infected animals are at increased risk and should take appropriate precautions. Canada reported its first domestically acquired human case of avian influenza A(H5N1) on November 9, 2024, and continued vigilance will help prevent additional human cases. To date, there has been no evidence of sustained person-to-person spread of the virus in any of the cases identified globally. However, avian influenza has the potential to cause serious illness in people.

PHAC will provide vaccines to provinces and territories based on an equitable and risk-based approach, with 60% of available doses going to provinces and territories and 40% kept in a federal stockpile for national preparedness. Provinces and territories will make decisions on the potential use and administration of their respective vaccination programs in the context of local risk conditions, with PHAC supporting program monitoring and evaluation to adjust national efforts as needed.

Canada’s National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) has also released preliminary guidance on the use of human vaccines against avian influenza in a non-pandemic context. Based on the evolving epidemiological situation in Canada and the United States, broad vaccine deployment is not recommended at this time but the guidance provides recommendations for the possible use of this vaccine by provincial and territorial public health authorities in current and potential future scenarios to protect the health of individuals at increased risk of being exposed to the virus.

PHAC continues to work closely with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, Health Canada, provincial and territorial public health authorities, animal health leaders and experts, industry groups, and international organizations to prepare for and manage the global risks of avian influenza. We remain committed to protecting Canadians by continuously strengthening our preparedness for emerging issues, such as avian influenza, through proactive measures including risk assessments, lab capacity and testing, monitoring and surveillance, science coordination and expert engagement, as well as guidance for professionals and the public. Quotes

“As we confront the ongoing global health risks posed by avian influenza, our priority remains protecting the health of people in Canada. The proactive steps we are taking, including securing vaccine doses, reflect our commitment to being prepared for any potential public health threats.”

The Honourable Mark Holland
Minister of Health

“By making human vaccines against avian influenza available for potential use in individuals at increased risk of exposure to avian influenza as part of our readiness, we are enhancing our capacity to protect people in Canada and respond rapidly to emerging public health challenges.”

Dr. Theresa Tam
Chief Public Health Officer

Continued: https://www.canada.ca/en/public-heal...t-at-risk.html

[Mary Wilson]

Summary of NACI statement of February 19, 2025: Rapid response on preliminary guidance on human vaccination against avian influenza in a non-pandemic context as of December 2024

Overview

• On February 19, 2025, the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) released the National Advisory Committee on Immunization's (NACI) Preliminary guidance on human vaccination against avian influenza in a non-pandemic context as of December 2024. This guidance is based on current evidence and NACI expert opinion.
• As of February 14, 2025, 68 human cases of avian influenza A(H5N1) were reported in the US since the start of 2024, primarily among dairy and poultry workers, while Canada reported one human case. Of these human cases, a small number have been severe, including the one case in Canada, and one death has been reported in North America (Louisiana, US). Most human cases can be traced to animal exposures, although some have had an unknown source of exposure.
• The number of human cases of avian influenza A(H5N1) in North America is increasing, primarily among poultry and dairy farm workers. Some Canadians may face increased risk of exposure to H5N1 viruses due to occupational hazards (e.g., poultry and dairy farm workers, laboratory workers); however, the risk to most Canadians remains low at this time.
• This NACI guidance offers a preliminary framework to advise Canadian provinces and territories (PTs) on whether to use human vaccines against avian influenza (HVAI) in a non-pandemic context, centered on the objective to prevent human infection with avian influenza A(H5N1) viruses. Preventing transmission from animals to humans will help to prevent severe disease in humans and could also help limit opportunities for viral adaptations that could facilitate human-to-human transmission.
• In the event that PTs determine it is necessary to start offering HVAI, NACI has identified key populations to consider prioritizing for vaccination including laboratory workers handling live avian influenza A (H5N1) virus and people with ongoing contact with known infected animals or their environments. NACI has also provided product-specific advice to advise PTs on recommended use of HVAI should it be needed (e.g., recommended schedule, guidance on concurrent administration).
• Refer to the full NACI statement for the detailed guidance framework.

What you need to know

• Avian influenza H5N1 outbreaks on both poultry and dairy farms have increased in recent months both globally and in North America, and cases have been reported in humans. Among the human cases of H5N1 in North America, almost all have been reported in people with exposures to dairy cattle or poultry including in non-commercial settings. While the source of exposure is not known for a few North American H5N1 cases, no evidence of human-to-human transmission has been reported to date. Almost all cases in North America have also been mild, with only a few cases of severe disease or death.
• Many countries, including Canada, are boosting surveillance activities, securing access of human vaccines against avian influenza (HVAI), and preparing for the possible use of HVAI to prevent and respond to avian influenza A(H5N1) outbreaks.
• HVAI can be used proactively in a non-pandemic context to protect people who may be at increased risk of being exposed to the virus through animals.
• At this time, based on the available supply and what is known about the epidemiological situation, NACI has provided guidance to assist provinces and territories (PTs) in deciding if, when, and how to use HVAI.
• NACI has not recommended broad deployment of HVAI, but has identified considerations for when HVAI could be used for key populations. NACI has outlined scenarios where it could be appropriate for PTs to consider using an available vaccine supply based on the evolving epidemiology.
• NACI reiterates a strong recommendation for all individuals 6 months of age and older to receive an authorized, age-appropriate seasonal influenza vaccine to reduce the burden of seasonal influenza in Canada. This includes those likely to have significant exposure to avian influenza A viruses (e.g., H5N1) through interactions with birds or mammals. While seasonal influenza vaccines do not protect against avian influenza A(H5N1), they may reduce the severity of seasonal influenza and may potentially reduce the risk of co-infection with both seasonal and avian influenza strains.
• NACI will continue to monitor the evolving evidence and epidemiology of avian influenza A(H5N1) in animals and humans, scientific developments, and evidence on HVAI, and will update guidance as necessary. ...

https://www.canada.ca/en/public-heal...mber-2024.html

Can Download in PDF format
(191 KB, 5 pages)
Organization: Public Health Agency of Canada
Date published: 2025-02-19

[Mary Wilson]

Rapid response: Preliminary guidance on human vaccination against avian influenza in a non-pandemic context as of December 2024

https://www.canada.ca/en/public-heal...2024.html#a9.1

[Pathfinder]

Translation Google

95% of the doses of avian flu vaccine in Canada ended up in the garbage.

Raphaël Pirro
Monday, May 4, 2026 11:34

UPDATE Monday, May 4, 2026 11:34

OTTAWA | Almost all (95%) of the avian flu vaccine stockpile purchased by the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) in 2024 ended up in the garbage because the demand was not properly analyzed.

This is the conclusion drawn from an analysis of a report by the Office of the Auditor General of Canada published on Monday.

To counter a potential wave of H5N1 avian influenza, the PHAC acquired 500,000 doses in August 2024 based on a preliminary estimate of the population at risk of exposure, including farmers.

Six months later, in February 2025, after further analysis, it determined that it already had ample material to combat a possible viral outbreak.

With half a million doses already in stock, the PHAC nevertheless decided a month later to order an additional 370,000 doses of the vaccine from the same supplier.

"We found that the Agency did not have a cost-benefit analysis to justify this purchase," the report authors stated.

The PHAC says it acted this way to be prepared should the virus transmission profile change and a pandemic risk emerge.

The first doses were distributed in May 2025, but there was no rush: of the 870,000 doses in total, less than 40,000 were sent to the provinces and 2,300 were given to research institutions.

Last February, unused vaccines expired, representing approximately 95% of the stock.

These were stored in the warehouse owned by the federal government, but "managed by the supplier".

How much did these hundreds of thousands of doses cost? It's impossible to know.

"The total cost of purchasing the vaccines is confidential in accordance with the contract concluded between the organization and the supplier," it was stated.

According to the PHAC, only one person in Canada contracted a severe H5N1 infection, but did not die. This occurred in November 2024 in British Columbia.

Cases on farms and in wild animals have been found in all Canadian provinces, and culls conducted by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency in recent years have helped to curb the spread of the virus.

One case that garnered attention was that of an ostrich farm in British Columbia. Last November, more than 300 ostriches suspected of carrying the H5N1 virus were culled despite resistance from the farm owners. The case even went to the Supreme Court.

Worldwide, 103 human cases have been detected and 11 deaths are linked to them.

https://www.journaldequebec.com/2026/05/04/95--des-doses-de-vaccin-contre-la-grippe-aviaire-au-canada-ont-fini-aux-poubelles

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Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development reports

Avian Influenza


Bird flu response working, but risks to public and animal health remain

Report metadata

Tabling date: May 4, 2026 Audited entities: Canadian Food Inspection Agency Environment and Climate Change Canada Public Health Agency of Canada Topics: Health Environment Safety and Security Report type Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development reports

Avian Influenza ( PDF , 2 MB)

At a glance


Overall, the federal government had measures in place to protect wildlife, domestic animals, and people from avian influenza. However, there remain challenges in assessing the impact of avian influenza on species at risk, consistently documenting activities performed to eliminate the virus from infected premises, and effectively managing the inventory of human vaccines.

Avian influenza, often referred to as bird flu, is caused by a highly contagious virus that mainly infects wild birds but can spread to domestic animals—such as chickens, dairy cattle, and pets—and then to humans. An outbreak of avian influenza began in Canada in December 2021, and there are concerns that the virus could mutate, leading to human-to-human transmission and potentially a pandemic. Environment and Climate Change Canada, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, and the Public Health Agency of Canada each play a role in preventing and managing outbreaks.

Since the outbreak, Environment and Climate Change Canada has strengthened its surveillance of migratory birds by redirecting existing funding. However, without dedicated funding, future efforts may be difficult to sustain. Also, despite recognizing the need to understand the impact of avian influenza on species that are or could become threatened, endangered, or extinct, the department did not conduct routine and targeted surveillance for species at risk.

To contain the spread of avian influenza in domestic animals, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency conducted all the required procedures and eliminated the virus from all 47 premises included in the audit sample. However, documentation could be improved, such as the consistency and completeness of information recorded by inspectors.

By March 2025, the Public Health Agency of Canada secured a total of 870,000 doses of an avian influenza vaccine for people at risk of exposure, such as farmers and veterinarians. Over 95% of doses went unused by the time the vaccines expired in February 2026. While the agency obtained the financial approval to purchase more doses, it had not yet decided whether updating the vaccine inventory was needed.

Key facts and findings

• Since December 2021, the avian influenza virus has been detected in every province and territory, including 43 bird species that are at risk at the federal or provincial level.
• Since December 2021, Environment and Climate Change Canada expanded its avian influenza surveillance program for migratory birds by increasing the numbers of samples tested and by including antibody testing in blood samples from wild birds and wild bird eggs.
• Between December 2021 and March 2026, approximately 17.3 million commercial birds either died or were culled due to the virus, costing about $360 million in compensation paid by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.
• The Public Health Agency of Canada distributed 39,200 doses of the avian influenza vaccine to the provinces and territories and donated 2,300 doses to the research community.

Why we did this audit

• Federal government departments and agencies must take action on avian influenza to protect public health, prevent a potential human pandemic, safeguard the economy and food security, and conserve wildlife and biodiversity.
• Highly pathogenic avian influenza is a major conservation threat for wild bird populations due to the current outbreak’s unprecedented, large-scale mortality and broad distribution among migratory bird populations.
• The World Health Organization and the Public Health Agency of Canada warn that further mutations of the highly pathogenic avian influenza virus could lead to sustained human-to-human transmission.

Highlights of our recommendations

• Environment and Climate Change Canada should improve its surveillance methods for detecting highly pathogenic avian influenza in species at risk to understand which species at risk are most vulnerable and susceptible to the impacts of the virus, and to inform the management and conservation of these species.
• Given that the Public Health Agency of Canada obtained the financial approval to purchase more avian influenza vaccine doses if needed, the agency should support further procurement decisions based on updated risk assessments, a cost-benefit analysis, and an assessment of demand forecasting for the number of doses that may be needed.

Please see the full report to read our complete findings, analysis, recommendations and the audited organizations’ responses

https://www.canada.ca/en/auditor-general/our-work/audit-reports/commissioner-environment-sustainable-development-202605-avian-influenza.html