We’re not ready for a bird-flu pandemic

To the Editor,

The clock is ticking for Rhode Island. In February, the FDA cancelled its annual meeting to pick which flu strains should go into next winter’s flu shot.
The virus changes every year, so shots need updating, and vaccine manufacturers need six months to get them ready for the fall. As a result, we may not have a shot for the next flu season.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is also thinking about cancelling its contract with Moderna to develop a bird-flu vaccine, and considering RFK Jr.’s hostility toward proven science, cancellation seems likely.
We already have bird-flu vaccines — Canada bought 500,000 doses of GSK’s vaccine — but how we get shots for Rhode Island is unclear.
Bird flu is creeping up on us. It’s begun infecting humans here and there, and it kills 50% of the people who catch it. Being prepared with a vaccine is important.
So, with plan A — waiting for the federal government to act — falling apart, what would a plan B look like? Can the Rhode Island Department of Health work on getting us vaccines? It would be an unprecedented thing to ask for.
Or could we have a regional response with all six New England states and New York state working together? It’s still unprecedented, but sharing the work could make it more possible.
Our state officials are reeling from the chaos caused by federal agencies abruptly reversing course, and limiting the damage will require solutions that are innovative and new.
Everything needs to be done at once, but some things need to be started first. A flu pandemic has the potential to cause unimaginable mayhem and harm, and a plan to contain it needs to be near the top of the list of things to do.

Wil Gregersen
Providence