1- Vaccination of poultry 2-Contingency planning
3-Other Member States’ Action 4-Vaccination of zoo birds
We have no objection in principle to the use of vaccination generally or specifically in relation to avian influenza. We keep our policy on vaccination under review in the light of scientific developments in vaccines. Preventive vaccination is used by the industry for Newcastle Disease and emergency vaccination would be considered as part of the control programme in an FMD outbreak.
However, preventive vaccination of poultry is not the most effective defence against avian influenza, because currently available vaccines have a number of disadvantages:
Although currently available vaccines are able to reduce mortality, it is likely that some vaccinated birds would still be capable of transmitting the disease if they become infected, but might not display symptoms of disease. This would increase the time taken to detect and eradicate the virus.
· Influenza viruses can mutate rapidly, which could render a vaccine less useful.
· The vaccines have serious practical limitations in that they need to be delivered by individually injecting each bird. It can take up to three weeks for the birds to develop optimum protective immunity and some poultry require two doses.
· The vaccine has not been shown to be effective in species such as ducks, geese and turkeys.
· It is difficult to differentiate infected from vaccinated birds.
· There are welfare implications for birds through increased handling, especially when speed is necessary.
· Vaccination may induce a false sense of security, resulting in a relaxation of biosecurity and vigilance.
· There will be a risk to workers from increased handling of birds.
We would not vaccinate poultry in advance of an avian influenza outbreak, nor would we use the vaccine as an immediate disease control response, due to the limitations of the vaccines as stated above. Early reporting, rapid action, biosecurity, culling and surveillance remain the most effective ways of protecting against and controlling an avian influenza outbreak.
A large number of factors will be considered when deciding on the method of disease control in an outbreak. The decision to vaccinate will be based on expert veterinary, epidemiological and scientific advice, given the circumstances existing at the time. Any Defra decision to vaccinate would also have to be approved by the European Commission under the Avian Influenza Directive (Link to the EU website), transposed in part by the Avian Influenza (Vaccination) (England) Regulations 2006 (Link to the OPSI website). A full explanation of the transposing legislation is available.
With some limited exceptions, it is against the law, and punishable by a fine or imprisonment, to import, possess or administer avian influenza vaccine without authorisation from Defra. Please see the Veterinary Medicines Regulations 2005.
The Food Standards Agency have stated that it is safe to eat meat and eggs from vaccinated birds:
“The vaccines used to vaccinate birds against avian flu do not pose any health concerns. This is provided a licensed vaccine with marketing authorisation is used, and the correct interval between vaccination and slaughter or date eggs are laid is observed. There is no requirement for meat or eggs from vaccinated animals or birds to be labelled to indicate that they have been vaccinated.”
As part of good contingency planning for a disease outbreak, and in view of uncertainties in the nature and spread of virus, we have secured a supply of 10 million doses of avian influenza vaccine which could be used against both H5 and H7 strains of the disease in birds, should a veterinary risk assessment indicate it is necessary. Five million doses of vaccine are stored in the UK and a further five million doses are kept on a supply contract in Spain, although the contract states that the vaccine must be delivered to the UK within seven days if required. One million of these doses are held in smaller 40 dose bottles (as opposed to the standard 1,000 dose bottles) to reduce costs when used in smaller flocks.
To support our purchase of vaccine, we have also produced a delivery plan (78 KB) which outlines guidelines for delivering an AI vaccination programme. This plan would have to be considered by the European Commission in the event of a decision to vaccinate and has been developed and agreed with stakeholders.
It is important to emphasise that increasing our preparedness to vaccinate does not represent a change in policy: we would not vaccinate poultry in advance of an outbreak or use it as an immediate disease control response.
The Netherlands is carrying out vaccination of free range laying hens, backyard poultry and some pet birds. However, the Dutch situation is different from that of the UK as they have an extremely dense poultry population that is concentrated in a small area and more high risk areas of open water which are visited by wild birds. Finally, in 2003 a variant of avian influenza went undetected in poultry in the Netherlands and, when it was found, one third of the Dutch poultry population had to be slaughtered.
Germany is conducting a small-scale trial of vaccination on three farms. The trial is due to end in September 2008 and we are monitoring results closely, although preliminary findings would suggest that birds that have been vaccinated and then subsequently challenged with avian influenza are capable of shedding virus to unvaccinated birds.
France (which vaccinated ducks and geese in a limited risk area) and Italy (which conducted a larger-scale programme in domestic poultry) have both ceased their vaccination programmes.
In December 2006, they permitted English zoos to vaccinate their birds against avian influenza because of their vital role in global conservation. English zoos wishing to vaccinate their birds can now apply to Defra for permission subject to meeting the eligibility criteria.
