CSL receives a $121 million contract to increase the US stockpile of avian flu vaccines to 40 million doses.

(Reuters) – Australia’s CSL ( OTC: ) said on Wednesday it has a $121.4 million contract from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to boost the U.S. government’s stockpile of flu vaccines birds at 40 million doses.

Under the multi-year contract, CSL will supply its adjuvant MF59, an ingredient that can be used to make vaccines against the H5 avian influenza virus.

“This decision will further support the US government’s pandemic preparedness efforts,” CSL said.

The funding is part of a partnership with the Advanced Biomedical Research and Development Authority (BARDA).

Part of HHS, BARDA helps companies develop medical supplies to address public health threats.

This is the fifth award CSL has received from BARDA in response to the avian flu outbreak. Under its previous contract, it delivered about 4.8 million doses of its bird flu vaccine.

H5 avian influenza is widespread in wild birds worldwide and causes outbreaks in poultry and dairy cows in the US, with several recent human cases in US dairy and poultry workers.

Earlier this month, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed the 14th human case of H5 reported in the United States in 2024 and the first case of H5 without known occupational exposure to sick or infected animals.

“While the current risk to public health is low, CDC is monitoring the situation closely and is working with states to monitor people exposed to the animals,” the agency says on its website.