The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) is launching a new initiative supporting the advanced development of influenza vaccine candidates with the goal to provide enhanced, long-lasting protection from a broad range of influenza viruses within and across subtypes.
These new vaccines will be more effective than current vaccines in providing protection from influenza infection in people of all ages and in people generally considered high-risk for severe disease associated with influenza infection.
Additionally, these new vaccines may serve as a priming dose during non-pandemic periods to enable a single dose of a pandemic influenza vaccine to be effective. As such, promising experimental data providing evidence that the new vaccine may serve as a primer for a pandemic influenza vaccine booster will be evaluated favorably.
Seasonal influenza vaccines, which are produced and administered annually, are only 30% to 70% effective. Excess morbidity and mortality caused by seasonal influenza virus disease can be devastating in terms of years of life lost and economic productivity. The emergence of novel strains of influenza viruses also present a public health threat, with potential rapid global spread among people with no pre-existing immunity to the virus, causing catastrophic morbidity and mortality.
To support these efforts, BARDA intends to publish a Request for Proposal (RFP) to develop, manufacture, and evaluate more effective influenza vaccine candidates toward US licensure. The anticipated period of performance includes a four to five year base period with a four to five year option period.
The RFP is anticipated to be released on or about February 11, 2015, with proposals being due April 11, 2015. Multiple awards may result from this solicitation with an estimated award date of September 2015.
Further details are available via Solicitation Number: BARDA_Universal_Influenza_Synopsis.
