Pathfinder
Editor, Senior Moderator
U.S. to test shots against bird flu outbreak, as Biden administration weighs poultry vaccinations
BY ALEXANDER TIN
FEBRUARY 9, 2023 / 2:54 PM / CBS NEWS
Federal scientists are gearing up to test the first vaccines in poultry against bird flu in years, as Biden administration officials say they have now begun weighing an unprecedented shift in the U.S. strategy to counter the growing outbreak.
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"The decision to proceed with vaccination is complex, and many factors must be considered before implementing a vaccination strategy," USDA spokesperson Mike Stepien said in a statement, adding that the inspection service is discussing the options and "soliciting input from many different industry stakeholders that would be impacted."
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It is not yet clear whether vaccines are available that will work against clade 2.3.4.4b, the strain behind the current outbreak in the U.S.
"There are a lot of moving parts to this kind of testing. And some of it is just pure logistics of getting everything in place to do the testing, getting the vaccines that are updated, getting things from parties that are involved, different manufacturers," said Erin Spackman, a virologist who studies avian influenza vaccines at the USDA.
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Spackman said evaluating the vaccines can take three months, from when birds get their shot — often in the back of the neck or thigh — to studying their response to the virus after immunity develops.
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https://www.cbsnews.com/news/bird-flu-outbreak-vaccine-testing-poultry-vaccinations/
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02/06/2023
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From a statement by Mike Stepien of USDA on bird flu vaccines
Currently, the United States has not authorized the use of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) vaccination but there are several avian influenza vaccines that are licensed by USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) Center for Veterinary Biologics (CVB). However, the efficacy of these vaccines against the prevailing HPAI strain is unknown and they are currently not being used in the United States.
The animal vaccine approval process entails 20 discrete stages that begin with feasibility work by the manufacturer and culminates with product label submission and review. General timeframes are 2.5-3 years, however in emergency situations manufacturers may expedite development, resulting in a shortened timeframe to licensure. It is important to note that for live, genetically modified organisms, National Environmental Policy Act requirements can add from 9 months to 1 year to the approval process timeline.
APHIS believes we must consider as many approaches as possible to protect against and respond to HPAI, including vaccination of vulnerable bird populations. The decision to proceed with vaccination is complex, and many factors must be considered before implementing a vaccination strategy. APHIS has initiated discussions with and are soliciting input from many different industry stakeholders that would be impacted by a vaccination strategy for U.S. poultry.
APHIS also continues to coordinate with CDC on matters related to human health.
...
https://github.com/tinalexander/not...-by-mike-stepien-of-usda-on-bird-flu-vaccines
BY ALEXANDER TIN
FEBRUARY 9, 2023 / 2:54 PM / CBS NEWS
Federal scientists are gearing up to test the first vaccines in poultry against bird flu in years, as Biden administration officials say they have now begun weighing an unprecedented shift in the U.S. strategy to counter the growing outbreak.
...
"The decision to proceed with vaccination is complex, and many factors must be considered before implementing a vaccination strategy," USDA spokesperson Mike Stepien said in a statement, adding that the inspection service is discussing the options and "soliciting input from many different industry stakeholders that would be impacted."
...
It is not yet clear whether vaccines are available that will work against clade 2.3.4.4b, the strain behind the current outbreak in the U.S.
"There are a lot of moving parts to this kind of testing. And some of it is just pure logistics of getting everything in place to do the testing, getting the vaccines that are updated, getting things from parties that are involved, different manufacturers," said Erin Spackman, a virologist who studies avian influenza vaccines at the USDA.
...
Spackman said evaluating the vaccines can take three months, from when birds get their shot — often in the back of the neck or thigh — to studying their response to the virus after immunity develops.
...
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/bird-flu-outbreak-vaccine-testing-poultry-vaccinations/
------------------------------
...
02/06/2023
...
From a statement by Mike Stepien of USDA on bird flu vaccines
Currently, the United States has not authorized the use of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) vaccination but there are several avian influenza vaccines that are licensed by USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) Center for Veterinary Biologics (CVB). However, the efficacy of these vaccines against the prevailing HPAI strain is unknown and they are currently not being used in the United States.
The animal vaccine approval process entails 20 discrete stages that begin with feasibility work by the manufacturer and culminates with product label submission and review. General timeframes are 2.5-3 years, however in emergency situations manufacturers may expedite development, resulting in a shortened timeframe to licensure. It is important to note that for live, genetically modified organisms, National Environmental Policy Act requirements can add from 9 months to 1 year to the approval process timeline.
APHIS believes we must consider as many approaches as possible to protect against and respond to HPAI, including vaccination of vulnerable bird populations. The decision to proceed with vaccination is complex, and many factors must be considered before implementing a vaccination strategy. APHIS has initiated discussions with and are soliciting input from many different industry stakeholders that would be impacted by a vaccination strategy for U.S. poultry.
APHIS also continues to coordinate with CDC on matters related to human health.
...
https://github.com/tinalexander/not...-by-mike-stepien-of-usda-on-bird-flu-vaccines