Jan 17 (Reuters) - The U.S. government has awarded

Moderna ( MRNA ) $590 million to advance the late-stage

development of its mRNA bird flu vaccine, as the country doubles

down on efforts to tackle increasing infections in humans.

The award, funded by the Department of Health and Human

Services, would be used to accelerate the development of

mRNA-based pandemic influenza vaccines, a company spokesperson

said on Friday.

The award was made through the Rapid Response Partnership

Vehicle (RRPV) Consortium with funding from the U.S. Biomedical

Advanced Research and Development Authority.