Shoshanna Goldin

Veteran Contributor Curator

 Mafunzo kuhusu Kupanga, Kutekeleza, na Kutathmini Chanjo ya Mafua ya Msimu
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 A(H5) Vaccination during the interpandemic and emergence periods
his webpage was last updated on 10.09.2025. 

If you have questions or would like to share information on this topic, please email [email protected]. 

Background: Human infections with avian influenza A(H5) viruses present a serious and highly complex public health challenge. A(H5) viruses continue to evolve, posing an agricultural, zoonotic and potential pandemic threat. In view of the continuous spread of A(H5N1) viruses in animals and the increasing number of spillover events to human, WHO, regional entities and countries, have issued considerations and/or recommendations on the use of A(H5) vaccines during the interpandemic and emergence periods. 

Interpandemic/emergence periods: In line with WHO guidance, the interpandemic period refers to a period where there are no human cases of the virus are reported, but animal cases are detected. In comparison, during the emergence period, there are sporadic human cases (the current global situation) or clusters of human cases of A(H5).i

This webpage includes 3 sections: 1) national/regional recommendations for the use of A(H5) vaccines; 2) WHO publications on A(H5) vaccines/vaccination; and 3) peer reviewed publications on A(H5) vaccines use. 

Section 1. National/regional recommendations for the use of A(H5) Vaccines
The countries and regional entities listed below have published guidance on the use of A(H5) vaccines during the interpandemic and emergence periods. They have made different determinations with some of them recommending A(H5) vaccination and others deciding not to recommend at this point in time. 

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Section 2. WHO publications on A(H5) vaccines/vaccination
WHO has produced A(H5) vaccine-related resources for national decision-makers and global health stakeholders. These resources are for the interpandemic and emergence periods. Should the situation evolve into a public health emergency of international concern and/or a pandemic emergency, WHO will provide relevant guidance.


Considerations for use of avian influenza A(‎H5)‎ vaccines during the interpandemic and emergence periods: report of a WHO virtual scientific consultation, September 2024 - This report provides an overview of the landscape of A(H5) vaccines (as of June 2025) and summarizes options for Member States' potential use of A(H5) vaccination following a virtual, scientific consultation convened by the WHO’s World Health Emergencies Programme.


SAGE issued recommendations on the use of licensed human H5N1 influenza vaccines in the interpandemic period in 2009 and 2013. SAGE is anticipated to review and update their recommendations in September 2025. 


The R&D Blueprint convened two virtual meetings on research needs for H5N1 vaccines and therapeutics. The virtual meetings were held in November 2024 and March 2025. 

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Section 3. Peer Review Publications on A(H5) Vaccine Use
WHO encourages countries conducting A(H5) vaccination of high-risk groups to collect and share data on safety, immunogenicity, cross-reactivity, priming potential, duration of immunity, feasibility, and acceptability. Publications on A(H5) vaccines are critical to inform national, regional, and global recommendations as well as to enable effective implementation of A(H5) vaccination programmes, where appropriate.  


An overview of influenza H5 vaccines - The Lancet Respiratory Medicine – this article provides a summary of the landscape of licensed A(H5) vaccines as of the time of publication. 


Inactivated Zoonotic Influenza A(H5N8) Vaccine Induces Humoral and Cell-mediated Immune Responses Against Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Clade 2.3.4.4b A(H5N1) Viruses | Research Square – this article documents the immune responses against A(H5N1) following vaccination with A(H5N8) vaccine in Finland.

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