Widespread H5N1 outbreaks and occasional human spillovers have renewed interest in bacteriophage approaches for secondary bacterial infections and as vaccine platforms. Public health trackers cited large animal losses—hundreds of millions of birds globally and more than 168 million in the U.S. during the recent outbreak window—and the U.S. CDC reported dozens of human cases between March 2024 and May 2025. Companies and public‑health groups are evaluating phages as targeted antibacterials during severe influenza and exploring phage‑based vaccine vectors. The shift underscores a dual focus: immediate tools to limit post‑influenza bacterial complications and long‑term platform R&D to diversify vaccine technologies against zoonotic threats.