Could Bird Flu Vaccines Be Coming to U.S. Poultry? USDA Signals Possible Shift

In a potential first for U.S. agriculture, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is drafting a formal plan to vaccinate poultry against highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI)—a move that could reshape both disease control and global poultry trade.

The agency confirmed this week that it’s collaborating with state officials and industry leaders to explore a comprehensive vaccine strategy. The move comes after intense pressure from egg and turkey producers, who’ve seen devastating losses since the virus began sweeping across farms in 2022. So far, nearly 175 million birds—including chickens and turkeys—have been culled in the nation’s worst animal-health emergency on record.

And the impact hasn’t been subtle: record-high egg prices, supply shortages, and increased imports from Brazil, Turkey, and South Korea have made headlines across the country.

The Vaccine Dilemma: Prevention vs. Trade Risk

While the need for a solution is clear, the path forward isn’t. The idea of vaccinating poultry has long divided the industry.

  • Egg and turkey producers are strongly in favor of vaccination to prevent mass losses.

  • Chicken meat producers remain cautious, worried that vaccination could trigger export bans from countries wary of hidden infections.

That’s because many global trade partners impose strict bans on imports from countries using certain animal vaccines, fearing that vaccines could mask the presence of active infections.

The USDA’s developing plan aims to tackle these concerns head-on, offering a detailed framework that trading partners could review before any rollout. The plan is expected to be completed in July 2025.

What Would Poultry Vaccination Look Like?

According to early drafts submitted by the United Egg Producers group, the vaccination plan would include:

  • An initial dose for baby chicks

  • A booster shot during development

  • Routine testing every few weeks

Even with vaccination, flocks that test positive for bird flu would still be culled, as a precaution for trading partners.

The Bigger Picture

Since the start of the outbreak, the USDA has spent over $1 billion compensating farmers for culled flocks. It also pledged $100 million for vaccine research, therapies, and future mitigation.

With producers under financial strain and consumers facing price spikes, many in the veterinary and agricultural communities believe it’s time for a new approach.

Whether vaccines become a reality depends not just on science, but on diplomacy, trade policy, and cooperation across an industry that’s historically been at odds.

Article based on this story on Reuters: https://www.reuters.com/business/environment/usda-develops-potential-plan-vaccinate-poultry-bird-flu-2025-06-20/

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