The UK government has started targeted vaccine trials in turkeys to control the spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza, commonly known as bird flu. Officials announced the move on Thursday, signaling a shift in strategy to protect poultry flocks and the wider industry.
Bird flu has caused significant losses worldwide, affecting poultry farms, raising food prices, and posing a potential pandemic risk. Governments and poultry producers have long debated the use of vaccines, concerned that vaccination could hide virus spread and impact exports.
The trials, set to last 24 weeks, will test the effectiveness of approved vaccines under real farm conditions. Officials from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) said the study will also examine how monitoring and surveillance can ensure trade safety while using vaccines.
Turkeys were chosen for the trials due to their high vulnerability to the virus. Past outbreaks in turkeys have led to high mortality rates, making them a priority species for testing. DEFRA highlighted that bird flu costs the UK government and poultry industry up to £174 million ($232 million) annually.
Other countries have also explored the use of bird flu vaccines. France began vaccinating farm ducks nationwide in 2023, becoming the first major poultry exporter to adopt such a strategy. French authorities reported that vaccination helped reduce the disease’s impact and protect exports.
Similarly, the Netherlands and the United States are conducting vaccine trials. The U.S. focuses on understanding how vaccination may influence poultry trade while safeguarding flocks.
Experts say the UK trials could provide valuable data on the role of vaccination in managing bird flu. They stress that combining vaccine use with strict monitoring may help reduce outbreaks without harming trade.
The success of these trials could pave the way for broader adoption of vaccines in the UK poultry industry. With bird flu continuing to threaten flocks, officials hope the new approach will protect farmers, stabilize food supply, and limit economic losses.
If the trials prove effective, the UK may follow other countries in adopting vaccines more widely while maintaining strict surveillance to safeguard exports.
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