Canada PHAC Announces Plans To Purchase 500,000 doses Of H5N1 Vaccine - NACI Statement On Vaccine Use Scenarios

[Michael Coston]

Canada PHAC Announces Plans To Purchase 500,000 doses Of H5N1 Vaccine

#18,630

As concerns over the evolution and spread of the HPAI H5 virus increase, countries around the world have begun to purchase varying amounts of pre-pandemic H5 vaccines for their populations. Some of these vaccines are based on older strains of the virus, while others are based on more recent strains.

Whether - or how closely - they will match any emerging pandemic strain is unknown, which is why most countries have elected to purchase only enough for high-risk individuals.​

The United States ordered about 4.8 million doses last summer, enough for about 2.4 million people. In 2023 Japan announced plans to stockpile about 10 million doses. While last December the UK announced plans to purchase 5 million doses.

Today Canada's Public Health Agency announced plans to purchase 500,000 doses of GSK’s human vaccine against avian influenza; ArepanrixTM H5N1 A/American wigeon clade 2.3.4.4b.​

I've reproduced their press release below. I'll have a bit more after the break.

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 guidanceon 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

Quick facts

• Avian Influenza A(H5N1) may pose a higher risk to individuals who have ongoing contact with infected animals and their environments, including poultry.

• The Arepanrix H5N1 A/American wigeon clade 2.3.4.4b vaccine is based on established technology for seasonal and pandemic influenza vaccines. Health Canada completed the review of the regulatory submission on February 18, 2025 and authorized the vaccine strain change.

• The National Advisory Committee on Immunization provides expert guidance on vaccine use in Canada. Their guidance on the use of Arepanrix H5N1 A/American wigeon clade 2.3.4.4b vaccine can be found on Canada.ca.

None of these purchases is intended to protect an entire population, as it is expected to take 2 doses - 30 days apart - to convey immunity. With a population of nearly 40 million, Canada would need nearly 80 million doses while the United States would need over 600 million.

Having some quantity of pre-existing vaccine on hand, however, could allow certain high risk individuals (like farmers or HCWs) to be partially protected, while an updated vaccine is being developed.​

Today's announcement does not provide a time-table for manufacture or delivery, but it generally takes several months to manufacture, fill and finish.

https://afludiary.blogspot.com/2025/02/canada-phac-announces-plans-to-purchase.html​

 

[sharon sanders]

Genetic and antigenic characteristics of clade 2.3.4.4b A(H5N1) viruses identified in dairy cattle in the United States of America


22 May 2024
| Meeting report​

https://www.who.int/publications/m/...-dairy-cattle-in-the-united-states-of-america

 

[sharon sanders]

@HelenBranswell
1h

Some answers to my question about what would trigger use of #H5N1 vaccine being purchased by Canada. #NACI, the advisory group that recommends vaccine policy in Canada, has issued preliminary guidance on how/when to use H5 vaccine in a non-pandemic context.
Show more

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@HelenBranswell
3h
Interesting: Canada is buying 500,000 doses of [HASHTAG="t1120"]gsk[/HASHTAG] 's [HASHTAG="c2811"]H5N1[/HASHTAG] vaccine "as part of ... contingency planning to protect people who may be at increased risk of being exposed to the virus through [infected] animals." Wonder what would trigger a decision to use it?


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[Michael Coston]

Canada: Summary of NACI Statement on Guidance on Human Vaccination Against Avian Influenza in a Non-pandemic Context




#18,631

Yesterday, in Canada PHAC Announces Plans To Purchase 500,000 doses Of H5N1 Vaccine, we looked at the press release on their intent to purchase a small number of doses of an H5N1 vaccine for humans.

Canada joins a handful of other countries - including the United States (4.8 million doses), Japan (10 million doses), the UK (5 Million doses) - in securing a small stockpile of the vaccine.​

Vaccination requires two doses - 30 days apart - so these purchases would only serve as a stop-gap measure for a relatively small number of high risk individuals (e.g. laboratory personnel conducting H5 testing, those working with infected animals, healthcare workers, etc.) depending on the size of their stockpile.

Along with yesterday's press release, the NACI (National Advisory Committee on Immunization) published a38-page document describing how - and when - their stockpile might be used.​

I've reproduced the link and the decision table below, but you'll want to follow the link to read it in its entirety. You'll find excerpts from the report's summary below that.

I'll return with a postscript after the break.

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

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​

Download in PDF format
(191 KB, 5 pages)​

Organization: Public Health Agency of Canada​

Date published: 2025-02-19​

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.
• To receive information regarding updates to the CIG and new NACI recommendations, statements and literature reviews, please subscribe to our publications mailing list.

(Continue . . . )

While a vaccine will be an important tool in any pandemic response, there are no guarantees how effective any H5 vaccine will be, and it will likely be 6 - 12 months into a pandemic before large quantities of any vaccine would be available to the public.

Until then, NPIs (non-pharmaceutical interventions) - face masks, handwashing, social distancing, etc. - will be our primary tools against any novel respiratory virus.​

And of course, there are no guarantees that HPAI H5 will spark the next pandemic. It is simply the one that is banging on our door the loudest right now.
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https://afludiary.blogspot.com/2025/02/canada-summary-of-naci-statement-on.html