Global Health Developments: Vaccines, Viruses, and Trade Impact

This roundup covers significant health news. Italy's Recordati expects minimal impact from proposed U.S. pharma tariffs. Canada's Health Canada approves Moderna's RSV vaccine for adults over 60, anticipating supply by 2025. Canada reports its first presumptive human H5 bird flu case. France raises bird flu risk to high as EU cases increase. UK's CMA examines baby formula market issues.

In a move addressing global trade concerns, Italy's Recordati has assured stakeholders of negligible impacts from the potential U.S. tariffs proposed under President-elect Donald Trump's administration. This comes as a relief, especially in light of the widespread concern surrounding Trump's tariff plans on pharmaceuticals and other goods.

Meanwhile, Canada's health regulator made a significant stride by approving Moderna's RSV vaccine for adults aged 60 and over, marking the first mRNA-based authorized vaccine for respiratory syncytial virus in the country. Moderna anticipates the vaccine's availability by early 2025, targeting prevention of lower respiratory tract diseases among older populations.

In other news, Canada has identified its first presumptive case of human H5 bird flu in a young individual from British Columbia. Health officials are investigating, speculating a direct transmission from birds or animals. Concurrently, France has escalated its bird flu alert to 'high', citing an increase in cases across the European Union, prompting stricter controls at poultry farms. In the UK, the competition watchdog, CMA, has raised concerns about baby formula sales, suggesting improvements to benefit parents and standardize packaging to minimize brand influence.

(With inputs from agencies.)