- Dr. Leana Wen, a prominent public health figure, has criticized the Biden administration for inadequate response to the H5N1 bird flu outbreak, which has infected 66 Americans. While most cases are mild, concerns about potential virus mutation and wider spread persist.
- Despite no confirmed human-to-human transmission, experts warn that the lack of widespread testing and an authorized vaccine leaves the U.S. vulnerable. A developed vaccine, AUDENZ, remains stockpiled but unauthorized, raising fears of delayed preparedness.
- The push for vaccine approval highlights the tension between preparedness and overreaction. Critics cite the 1976 swine flu vaccine's side effects as a cautionary tale, while others argue delaying authorization risks catastrophic outcomes if the virus mutates or spreads further.
- The Biden administration maintains that current outbreak conditions do not warrant widespread vaccination.
Dr. Leana Wen, a former Baltimore City health commissioner and current professor at George Washington University, has accused outgoing President Joe Biden's administration of failing to adequately respond to bird flu, which has infected 66 Americans to date.
While the majority of cases have been mild, with only one severe infection reported, concerns are mounting over the potential for the virus to mutate and spread more widely. (Related: Bird flu panic: Is California's state of emergency overhyped?)
The bird flu, scientifically known as H5N1, is a strain of influenza that primarily affects birds but can occasionally jump to humans, particularly those in close contact with infected animals. So far, there have been no confirmed cases of human-to-human transmission and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) maintains that the risk to the general public remains low. However, Wen and other experts argue that the lack of widespread testing and the absence of an authorized vaccine leave the nation vulnerable to a potential crisis.
During a recent interview on CBS News, Wen criticized the Biden administration for not pushing the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to authorize a bird flu vaccine that has already been developed. The vaccine, known as AUDENZ, is reportedly stockpiled in limited quantities, but its use has not been approved. Wen warned that delaying authorization could have dire consequences, especially if the virus mutates to become more contagious or severe.
A balance between preparedness and overreaction
The debate over the vaccine’s authorization highlights a broader tension in public health policy: the balance between preparedness and overreaction. Critics of rapid vaccine deployment point to the 1976 swine flu outbreak, where a hastily approved vaccine led to rare but serious side effects, including Guillain-Barré syndrome, a condition that damages the nervous system. That episode eroded public trust in vaccines for years, and some experts fear a repeat if the bird flu vaccine is rushed without sufficient evidence of its safety and efficacy.
Dr. Peter McCullough, a cardiologist and outspoken critic of COVID-19 vaccine mandates, has raised concerns about the AUDENZ vaccine's potential risks. He cited clinical trial data showing a higher mortality rate among those who received the vaccine compared to the placebo group. McCullough also argued that the vaccine does not target the current strain of bird flu circulating in the U.S., making it potentially ineffective and even counterproductive.
Despite these concerns, Wen and other public health advocates insist that the Biden administration should act now to protect vulnerable populations, particularly farm workers who are at the highest risk of exposure. They argue that waiting for more severe outbreaks or human-to-human transmission could be catastrophic, especially given the lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Biden administration, however, appears reluctant to authorize the vaccine at this time. Officials have emphasized that the current outbreak does not meet the criteria for widespread vaccination, as the virus has not shown signs of causing severe illness or spreading between humans. Instead, they are focusing on increased testing and surveillance, particularly in the dairy and poultry industries, where the virus has been most prevalent.
Visit Outbreak.news for more stories about bird flu.
Dr. Leana Wen calls on President Joe Biden to deploy mass bird flu vaccines. Watch this video.
This video is from the Rick Langley channel on Brighteon.com.
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