According to Dr. Christine Middlemiss, Chief Veterinary Officer for the UK, a trial will be initiated to evaluate commercially available vaccines administered to turkeys under field conditions.  Concurrently, the Department of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) (analogous to the USDA) will evaluate surveillance, and other control measures.  The vaccine trial will also serve as a measure of the resistance imposed by importing nations to a controlled vaccination program carried out in accordance with the World Organization of Animal Health recommendations. 

Dr. Middlemiss stated, “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 U.K.”  She added, “Vaccines have the potential to be a really valuable additional tool in helping us protect birds from infection.”

The UK trial that will be implemented over a six-month period, follows similar successful testing of vaccination against HPAI in the Netherlands and extensive administration of vaccines for ducks in France.

Unlike segments of the U.S. poultry industry, the British Poultry Council is enthusiastically supporting the UK initiative.