The USDA will not pursue vaccination of poultry flocks with currently available vaccines but will continue pursuit of more effective vaccines, the department said in a June 3 press release.
As part of USDA's ongoing response, the department evaluated the efficacy of current vaccine options for highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in addition to economic impacts of vaccination and has determined that, as it currently stands, additional criteria must be met before a vaccine can be approved for emergency use, the release said. Vaccines currently available are not well matched and do not meet a suitable level of efficacy.
USDA also wants to be sure that the vaccine industry is in a position to produce enough doses to create an effective control measure. Finally, additional outreach with trading partners will be required to avoid significant market disruptions.
The USDA indicated that it will continue to support efforts to develop a more effective vaccine, assist poultry producers with strong biosecurity measures, compensate producers for losses, and take aggressive action to maintain open markets for U.S. poultry based on international standards.
USDA will continue to encourage development of vaccines for HPAI and will approve vaccines as they are developed and evaluated. Currently, there is lack of a well-matched, effective vaccine for HPAI from the public and private sectors. The vaccine currently available offers just 60 percent effectiveness in chickens, leaving 4 in 10 birds unprotected. The vaccine's effectiveness in turkeys is still being studied.
Click here to see more...