CDC and Pfizer are developing genetically modified H5 avian influenza constructs using the same mRNA platform as covid-19
Researchers from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Pfizer Inc. have developed new, genetically engineered H5 avian influenza gene constructs, including a codon-optimized hemagglutinin (HA) gene with a synthetically modified cleavage site, as documented in a report published in Nature on November 27.
According to the authors, the stated aim of the study was to evaluate an mRNA-based H5 vaccine, which they describe as “a nucleoside-modified mRNA construct encoding the full-length codon-optimized HA protein with the polybasic cleavage site removed from A/Astrakhan/3212/2020 A(H5N8)”.
The publication confirms that the artificially produced HA used in the study was genetically modified beyond its alleged natural form.
Optimized splitting point
The authors state that the cleavage site was synthetically modified, and write that the polybasic amino acids were mutated “from ‘REKRRKR’ to ‘RETR’”.
The cleavage site is like a switch that needs to be flipped to “turn on” the flu virus so it can infect cells. If this site can be cut by many types of enzymes in the body, the virus can spread more widely and cause more severe illness.
LNPs for mRNA therapeutics
The engineered constructs were then formulated into lipid nanoparticles using “the same platform methods used for Pfizer’s covid-19 and seasonal influenza mRNA vaccines”.
The work was carried out by several CDC departments, including the Influenza Division, the Highly Dangerous Pathogens and Pathology Division, and the Office of Advanced Molecular Detection.
Pfizer scientists in the BSL-3 laboratory
It was conducted by Pfizer scientists at the company’s facility in Pearl River, New York, with additional participation from ORISE.
The authors state that “all research with HPAI-A(H5N1) viruses was conducted in CDC Biosafety Level 3 Enhanced (BSL-3E) or ABSL-3 facilities.”
100% transfer rate
To test the performance of the artificially produced constructs, the CDC-Pfizer team conducted live virus challenge experiments using H5N1 isolates derived from human beings.
The ferrets were infected with the virus formations “A/Chile/25945/2023” and “A/Michigan/90/2024…….” by a farm worker who had come into contact with infected livestock.
Using these human isolates, the researchers documented efficient mammal-to-mammal transmission and reported a “100% transmission rate” in unvaccinated ferrets.
Financing and conflicts of interest
The information regarding financing indicates direct funding from the federal government and companies.
The authors explain: “This work was funded by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Pfizer Inc.”
The authors also disclose the company’s full involvement in the scientific process, writing: “Pfizer was involved in the conception, analysis and interpretation of the data in these research studies, the preparation of this report and the decision to publish it.”
Furthermore, the article points out that the Pfizer researchers involved in the project are “inventors of patent applications related to influenza mRNA compositions”.
Conclusion
The new study documents that the CDC and Pfizer jointly developed new H5 constructs through codon optimization and cleavage site mutation, formulated them using Pfizer’s mRNA-LNP platform, and then tested them in the CDC’s BSL-3E laboratories on current human H5N1 isolates.
The result is a federally supported, corporate-driven program in which U.S. authorities and Pfizer have quietly developed H5 influenza genes and tested them with the human-infectious H5N1 – blurring the line between vaccine development and the manipulation of high-risk pathogens.
These dangerous experiments raise concerns regarding national security.
yogaesoteric
December 3, 2025