The University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust has launched a new trial for a bird flu vaccine, with recruitment now underway at Poole Hospital and the Royal Bournemouth Hospital. This initiative is part of a nationwide effort to prepare for potential future pandemics by testing a new vaccine candidate designed to protect against the bird flu strain known as A(H5N1).
The study, which began on 23 April 2026, is part of a larger global project involving 4,000 adult volunteers. The UK is playing a central role in this research, aiming to recruit 3,000 participants across 26 different sites. Officials say the speed at which this trial was organised is notable, with the first participant enrolled in less than half the time initially projected by the government.
The vaccine is being developed by Moderna with support from the National Institute for Health and Care Research and the UK Health Security Agency. Experts are focusing on this research because there have been 116 confirmed human cases of the H5N1 strain globally since 2024. While these cases have mostly been linked to direct contact with infected animals, health officials are prioritising this work to ensure the country is ready for any potential changes in the virus.
The UK has seen 45 confirmed cases of bird flu during the 2025-26 season, including outbreaks among poultry and a first-of-its-kind detection in a sheep in March 2025. Dr Richard Pebody from the UK Health Security Agency noted that a flu pandemic remains the most likely future pandemic, making this research an important step in building national resilience.
Adults interested in participating in the trial can find more information through local health services. This study is supported by the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations and remains a significant focus for the Department of Health and Social Care as part of its ongoing pandemic preparation strategy.
About this article: This story was put together with the help of AI tools and checked by a real person on our team. We're a small crew trying to cover as much of the UK as we can on a limited budget. We're getting better every day - but we're not perfect yet. If something looks off, let us know. You're part of the process.
