US Department of Agriculture officials are moving ahead with plans to stockpile vaccine to combat highly pathogenic avian influenza. Agency officials fear the return of the virus this fall which devastated so many flocks this year. Iowa Poultry and Egg Association Executive Director, Randy Olson is hoping once the vaccine is available that producers don’t have to resort to using it either this fall or next spring.
Olson says whether or not to use the bird flu vaccine is a complicated discussion that’s not settled easily.
Meanwhile, APHIS (Animal Plant Health Inspection Service) has not approved the use of the vaccine to respond to avian influenza at this point. Agency officials say, however, they are preparing to ensure the vaccine is available should the decision be made to use it.
