Headline: Field Trials and Pilot Ahead: Netherlands Assesses Avian Flu Vaccines
Lead Paragraph: In a proactive measures to combat avian flu, Netherlands is currently testing two vaccines in the field and planning a pilot program. Since September 2023, a field trial is underway at two poultry farms to assess the practical effectiveness of vaccination against avian flu. This is in addition to a potential pilot program where farms could use a now-approved European vaccine.
Article:
The Netherlands is spearheading efforts to combat avian flu by currently testing two vaccines in the field, with promising initial results and a larger pilot program on the horizon. Since September 2023, a field trial has been underway at two poultry farms, led by Wageningen University & Research, Royal GD, and the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine at Utrecht University. This trial, commissioned by the Dutch Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Nature, aims to evaluate the practical efficacy of vaccination, as laboratory results may differ under actual field conditions.
In the trial, 1,800 one-day-old chicks have been vaccinated, and transmission tests have been conducted at various intervals to assess the vaccines’ protective effect. The first test, eight weeks post-vaccination, showed that vaccinated chickens were not infected or sick after exposure to the avian flu virus. The second test, at 24 weeks, focused on hens reaching their peak production stage, with follow-up tests planned at 54 and 84 weeks. Final results are expected in late 2025.
Two vaccine manufacturers are participating in the current trial. Recently, a third manufacturer announced the development of a vector vaccine, which has received European approval. Before the end of 2024, a pilot program is planned, involving multiple layer farms and an approved vaccine to gather practical experience in large-scale vaccination and surveillance.
The primary goals of the pilot program are to gain practical experience administering vaccines on layer farms, implement a surveillance program according to European guidelines, and address and mitigate any potential negative trade effects. A surveillance program will be deployed to swiftly detect any infection on vaccinated farms. The timely European approval of the vaccine used in the pilot is a significant step forward.
Thanks to these field trials and the upcoming pilot, large-scale vaccination against avian flu can be responsibly executed. Moreover, these measures aim to minimize potential negative trade impacts. Initial pilot results are expected in 2025, contributing to future policy decisions on preventive vaccination. The Netherlands, together with France, stands out as a frontrunner in actively working on avian flu vaccination.
