Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) vaccine
trials have started today (Thursday 5 March) in a major
step forward in the fight against the disease.
New trials will explore the potential for the
latest vaccines to protect birds, focusing on
turkeys only in England, providing valuable insight
into how well vaccines work in the field, how
surveillance can be
managed to retain trade and
how vaccines can help manage the disease.
The scale of avian influenza outbreaks in the UK and Europe
within the last few years has been unprecedented, causing
devastation for bird keepers on the frontline and the poultry
sector. Annual outbreaks cost the UK Government and industry
up to £174m each year. The disease has
significantly impacted both captive and wild birds
globally since 2020.
Turkeys have been selected as a priority species for further
research as they are highly susceptible to avian influenza, with
outbreaks resulting in severe clinical signs with rapid and
elevated mortality rates.
The trial will sample a small group of birds under strict
supervision following approval from the Veterinary
Medicines Directorate (VMD) and using UK/ EU authorised
vaccines. Vaccinating poultry against bird flu is not
currently allowed more widely in the UK.
Biosecurity Minister said:
We know what a terrible toll this disease has annually on our
farmers and poultry sector.
The start of new vaccine trials are a significant step forward in
our fight against this disease and will contribute to global
research efforts. We are hopeful vaccines can be used in the UK
as an additional tool to control bird flu to protect the UK's
biosecurity and food supply.
UK Chief Veterinary Officer Christine
Middlemiss said:
This targeted trial is going to be really key for our
understanding of how HPAI vaccines can be effectively used for
disease control in the UK. They have the potential to be a really
valuable additional tool in helping us protect birds from
infection.
Stringent biosecurity will always remain our
best defence and I urge all bird keepers to continue to take
the steps needed to prevent avian influenza spreading onto their
premises.
Animal and Plant Health Agency Avian
Influenza Disease expert Professor Ashley Banyard
said:
The scourge of this disease has impacted both captive and wild
birds populations globally since 2020. The impact has varied
annually, which makes forecasting of disease events very
difficult.
Assessing the ability of these vaccines to generate an immune
response in turkeys will give a good indication of the
suitability of these vaccines as tools to protect birds against
H5N1.
The trial will evaluate how vaccines could be safely and
effectively integrated into the UK's disease control
strategy, generate data on vaccine efficacy and contribute to the
growing international body of research on HPAI vaccination. It
will help us understand how vaccines can be effectively used in
the UK as an additional tool to control bird
flu and provide valuable information on vaccine effectiveness and
contribute to global research efforts, during these challenging
times,
The potential benefits of HPAI vaccination are being considered
in several countries experiencing similar challenges to the UK.
In Europe there are ongoing trials of vaccines in Italy and
the Netherlands.
Stringent biosecurity remains the best defence
against the disease. All bird keepers
should familiarise themselves with the steps they need to
take to prevent bird flu and avoid any potential for it to
spread. Remaining vigilant for signs of disease,
and reporting this promptly, will help to keep birds
safe.
The trials will last for 24 weeks and will provide insight into
the final recommendations of the UK HPAI vaccination
taskforce.
ENDS
Notes to editors:
- In July 2025, the Taskforce published
a report outlining the current status and challenges
of vaccination, exploring future options for vaccination of
birds in different sectors including a cost benefit analysis
and a recommendation for a domestic field vaccination trial in
turkeys.
