USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins says a vaccine for avian influenza isn’t quite ready for widespread use, but progress is being made.
Speaking recently, Rollins noted that while researchers are advancing vaccine development, there are still key hurdles to overcome, including effectiveness across multiple strains and how a vaccine could impact trade. The poultry industry remains cautious, as some export markets restrict imports from countries that vaccinate flocks.
Rollins said, “It is so devastating to have to depopulate tens of thousands, millions of birds, and we believe the answer is a vaccine. But, we don’t have all the data, and I am not willing to put America up on the experimental block.”
In the meantime, Rollins emphasized that the USDA is continuing to focus on biosecurity and rapid response efforts to limit outbreaks. Bird flu has already led to significant poultry losses and higher egg prices in recent years, keeping pressure on both producers and consumers.
Rollins added, “A hundred million dollars we’ve spent on innovation. I think 80 percent of that is going into the research behind the vaccine and potential pilot projects that we’ll be rolling out.”
Rollins says the goal is to have a safe, effective vaccine ready if and when it’s needed…but for now, prevention remains the top priority.
