According to a preliminary notification in Cell Reports Medicine, a potentially effective vaccine was evaluated to protect rodents from H5N1 avian influenza infection.
The vaccine comprised a chimpanzee adenoviral virus as a vector stimulating immunity against H5 hemagglutinin antigen. Administration of the vaccine to mice resulted in a neutralizing antibody response. Protection was demonstrated against challenge with a human-derived H5N1 isolate (A/Michigan/90/2024 clade 2.3.4.4b), presumably derived from a worker exposed to avian influenza H5N1. The intranasal adenoviral-vectored vaccine provided a higher level of protection compared to intramuscular administration of hamsters subjected to challenge with Michigan and Texas isolates of H5N1.
It is hoped that this technology could be extended and evaluated in chickens and turkeys with an appropriate vector. The industry would benefit from any novel vaccine in addition to existing commercial vector products for mass primary immunization of broilers at the hatchery or via the intranasal route during rearing of layer and breeder pullets.