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What does the new Avian Influenza Directive 2005/94/EC provide for
regarding vaccination?
The new Avian Influenza Directive, adopted by Council in December 2005, allows
Member States to carry out not only emergency vaccination (as the old legislation
did), but also preventive vaccination against avian flu. Preventive vaccination must
be based on a risk assessment carried out by national authorities, and will be subject
to rigorous surveillance requirements for vaccinated birds. Although the new Avian
Influenza Directive does not have to be implemented by Member States until July 31
2007, it entered into force in February 2005. Therefore, national authorities can
already submit vaccination plans to the Commission for approval. In addition, a
Commission Decision1 backed by the Standing Committee on the Food Chain and
Animal Health (SCFCAH) in October 2005, allows Member States to vaccinate
special categories of birds (e.g. zoo birds) to protect them against avian flu.
1
Decision 2005/744/EC
What is the difference between emergency vaccination and preventive
vaccination?
Emergency vaccination may be used by Member States when there is an outbreak
of highly pathogenic avian influenza within or very close to their territory. It is a short
term measure to contain an outbreak of avian influenza in poultry or other captive
birds or to stop it from spreading from other areas where there is a confirmed
outbreak. A risk assessment must show that there is a significant and immediate
threat of avian flu spreading to the poultry and birds concerned, from another
infected area, before emergency vaccination can be carried out. Preventive
vaccination is a longer term measure, which Member States can introduce if they
feel certain poultry or captive birds in certain areas would be more at risk from avian
influenza should there be an outbreak. Both type of vaccination campaigns are
carried out in much the same manner, and are subject to similar surveillance rules
and controls.
2
What happens if there is an outbreak of highly pathogenic avian
influenza in a vaccinated flock?
If there is outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza in vaccinated poultry,
Member States must apply the same eradication and control measures as are
carried out when there is an outbreak in unvaccinated poultry. All poultry on the
infected holding must be culled, their meat and products must be destroyed, and
thorough cleansing and disinfection must be carried out on the holding. A 3 km
radius protection zone and 10 km radius surveillance zone must be set up around
the site where the disease was detected, and wider risk areas should be marked out
around these zones to act as a buffer between the affected and non-affected part of
the Member State. Movement restrictions, bio-security measures and intense
monitoring of holdings must be implemented in these restricted areas. (see
MEMO/06/79).
Why, when there is a higher risk of avian influenza, are all poultry not
vaccinated in the EU?
The use of preventive vaccination requires the adoption of particular surveillance and
controls to prevent the possible persistence of disease in an endemic form in a
poultry population. These surveillance and controls would not be possible in case of
generalised vaccination of the billions of poultry that are kept for farming purposes in
the EU. Moreover, the application of the vaccination, which can require up to 3
vaccine shots per bird for it to be effective, is extremely onerous when it comes to
huge bird populations.
3
Does the EU provide any funding for vaccination?
For emergency vaccination, the EU can provide up to 100% co-funding from the EU
Veterinary Fund to cover the costs of the vaccines and their application. There is no
EU funding for preventive vaccination.
Are there any health threats for people working with vaccinated birds?
There is no health risk to people working or in close contact with healthy, vaccinated
birds. The only risk lies in the possibility of an outbreak of H5N1 in a vaccinated flock
going undetected. For this reason, strict surveillance and testing for the virus must be
carried out on any birds vaccinated, and national authorities must inform poultry
owners that the clinical signs of avian influenza may not be as obvious in a
vaccinated flock, and therefore extra-vigilance and proper hygiene measures should
be carried out.