(NBC News) – As fears grow of a possible bird flu pandemic in humans, the federal government is pouring more money into the development of new vaccines, including an mRNA shot.

On Friday, the Department of Health and Human Services announced it’s providing about $590 million in funding to Modernain part to fast-track the development of an mRNA vaccine that targets the strains of bird flu currently circulating in wild birds, poultry and dairy cows. 

The money is in addition to the $176 million HHS awarded the drugmaker in July to develop a bird flu vaccine. (Read More)