Moderna Bird Flu Vaccine Contract Canceled — What It Means for Property Managers

As someone who works with building owners and facility teams daily, we focus on real-world risk reduction. One news story that deserves every property manager’s attention is the recent federal decision to cancel its vaccine development contract with Moderna—at a time when Avian Flu (H5N1) continues to spread in wild birds, poultry, and even dairy cattle. This isn’t just a healthcare issue; it’s a public health concern with direct implications for how we manage buildings, tenants, and visitors. And just this week the Federal Government showed that it has its head in the sand – or far worse – with an effort to import H5N1 Avian Flu infected ostriches from Canada to Florida. (No Joke! Read about it here.)

What Happened?

On May 29, 2025, multiple news outlets confirmed that the U.S. government canceled a major contract with Moderna worth between $590 million and $766 million, depending on the report. This contract was meant to support the development of a bird flu vaccine for humans, using Moderna’s mRNA technology. Here’s a breakdown of what various credible sources reported:

  • New York Times: Reported the cancellation as a concerning step backward amid rising outbreaks. Highlighted that the government still has three other vaccine contracts but cast doubt on how prepared the U.S. would be if H5N1 mutates to spread more easily between humans.
  • Reuters: Focused on the value of the contract—over $700 million—and noted that the funding was cut despite positive progress in clinical trials.
  • NPR: Raised alarm about the evolving virus and the risk it poses if human-to-human transmission becomes more likely. Pointed out that experts saw the vaccine as a key part of pandemic preparedness.
  • NBC News: Noted that the cancellation came right after Moderna announced strong early-stage results for its H5 vaccine candidate.
  • CBS News: Emphasized the contradiction between the vaccine’s progress and the sudden funding withdrawal.
  • BioPharma Dive and BioSpace: Both discussed growing uncertainty around the federal pandemic preparedness strategy.
  • Axios and Vanity Fair: Commented on the broader political and public health implications.

 Why This Matters for Property Managers

Avian Flu doesn’t stay on farms. Birds fly across regions, depositing droppings and feathers on rooftops, HVAC systems, ledges, loading docks, and public walkways. Bird flu is highly contagious with “One wild bird dropping contains enough virus to infect 1 million birds. We cannot control where wild birds defecate, but we can take steps to prevent this virus from entering the houses.” – University of Delaware  If the virus mutates to become more contagious in humans, properties with regular foot traffic could become part of the transmission chain. We closely track the disease and news of its spread.

Bell Environmental’s Response

Bell Environmental offers comprehensive bird management and exclusion solutions for:

  • Commercial buildings & office parks
  • Healthcare campuses & research facilities
  • Universities & schools
  • Transit hubs, courthouses, and government buildings

We have a dedicated bird division that has worked for 25 years to prevent birds, their affiliated diseases and contamination, health risks (carrying insects and more), and property damage risks (corrosion of metal and concrete, clogged drains) and more.  Our IPM (Integrated Pest Management) approach combines physical deterrents like netting, spikes, and shock track with sanitation, and compliance-focused documentation. We help reduce the risk of droppings, nesting, and exposure to diseases like H5N1.

📞 Call us at 877-376-1775 🔗 Visit bellbirdcontrol.com