Federal officials plan to double the stockpile of emergency bird flu vaccines as they identify more people infected with the disease. Three manufacturers were awarded $72 million to increase pandemic preparedness including against avian influenza, officials announced in a Friday morning briefing.

There are currently no recommendations for anyone to be vaccinated against bird flu and federal health officials note this is being done out of "an abundance of caution."

As more farm workers get sick with avian influenza, the US federal government is putting $72 million toward strengthening its vaccine stockpile.