Section 3. Response

Vaccination

Vaccination of birds is determined by USDA-APHIS.3

  • Generally not used in the U.S.
  • Exceptions are occasionally made for commercial turkey flocks and isolated poultry farms.

Vaccination during an AI outbreak requires serious thought as it can have severe consequences. Not vaccinating properly could result in the infection becoming endemic. Another concern is that the virus still replicates in healthy vaccinated birds but the signs of disease are masked. This removes the most significant warning signal for HPAI.