Vaccinating against Avian Influenza included in OIE Agenda
Until now, preventative vaccination of commercial birds against avian influenza has been ruled out for various reasons, including the potential that some vaccinated birds would still be capable of transmitting bird fly if they became infected, and the rapid mutation of influenza viruses that can render vaccines less useful.
Other reasons for not pressing ahead with vaccination include practical considerations of injecting each bird, no proven efficacy of the vaccines, the difficulty of differentiating infected from vaccinated birds, welfare implications around increased handling of birds, the potential of inducing a false send of security leading to a lessening of biosecurity, and trade issues.
Huge numbers of cases of avian influenza in the past year have prompted the World Organisation for Animal Health to discuss the potential vaccination of poultry. To read more click this link.
