#18,267
Yesterday, USDA Secretary Vilsack announced at the Farm Progress Show in Boone, IA that this week he has authorized the first field trial of an H5N1 vaccine in Cattle, to be overseen by the USDA's Center for Veterinary Biologics (CVB) in Ames, IA.
A Brief (60 sec) audio clip can be heard here:
Yesterday the USDA also published the following notice which announces that the CVB is now accepting submissions for field studies to support full licensure of nonviable, non-replicating vaccines.
CVB Notice 24-13: Field Studies with Nonviable, Non-replicating Veterinary Vaccines Targeting Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza in Livestock
The Center for Veterinary Biologics (CVB) recently added CVB Notice 24-13: Field Studies with Nonviable, Non-replicating Veterinary Vaccines Targeting Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza in Livestock (196.16 KB)to its website. The purpose of this notice is to provide an update to interested parties regarding veterinary biologics product license applications for veterinary biological products used to vaccinate livestock for Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) H5N1, clade 2.3.4.4b. This Notice includes an update on field studies to support licensure.
While many dairy farmers view an H5N1 vaccine as the answer to their H5N1 problem, there are a lot of hurdles to overcome. There are many questions about the logistics of vaccination, and concerns about potential downsides, some of which may not be readily apparent.
Given what we've seen with H5N1 poultry vaccines (which are still not approved in the U.S. after years of study) - while this may be eventually adopted - this is unlikely to be a near-term solution.
