The U.S. Department of Agriculture has approved a new bird flu vaccine. Zoetis, the manufacturer, announced the approval in February.
The vaccine is for chickens and helps protect poultry flocks. It targets the H5N1 strain, which has infected 150 million birds. No existing vaccine fully matches this strain. Officials are now building a stockpile for livestock.
Why Did the USDA Approve Zoetis’ Vaccine?
Kristen Peck, CEO of Zoetis, spoke to CNN about the approval. She said the company worked with the USDA and Congress. She hopes the vaccine will help curb avian flu’s spread.
Zoetis said approval was based on safety, purity, and expected efficacy. The USDA grants conditional licenses in emergencies for a set time.
Zoetis has made avian flu vaccines before. One protected California condors in 2023.
Poultry vaccination is usually decided by regulators and the industry. The U.S. has culled infected flocks instead of vaccinating them. This helps control outbreaks but raises egg prices and cuts supply.
How Dangerous is the Current Bird Flu Outbreak?
The current bird flu outbreak has affected 150 million birds since 2022. In the past month, officials confirmed 146 new outbreaks. These outbreaks involved over 20 million birds. The virus is also spreading to cattle and other animals.
Since March 2024, at least 70 people in the U.S. have been infected. Last year, an older person in Louisiana was the first U.S. fatality. The CDC says the general public’s risk remains low.
Since January, three people have been hospitalized with avian flu. In November, a Canadian teenager was critically ill from the virus.
How Are Officials Responding to the Outbreak?
Since summer, the U.S. has prepared 10 million avian flu vaccine doses. Officials believe the vaccines work but have not used them yet. Most human cases have been mild, causing flu-like symptoms and tiredness.
There is no evidence of human-to-human transmission so far. Some experts support vaccinating animals early to prevent further spread.
Dr. Hana El Sahly of Baylor College of Medicine told USA Today the national stockpile should cover first responders and at-risk workers. Effective vaccines could also protect against the D1.1 strain. This strain was recently found in a Nevada dairy worker.
Vaccine hesitancy could affect U.S. preparedness for bird flu. On Friday, the Trump administration blocked federal funds for COVID-19 mandates in schools. Some state lawmakers followed this decision.
Louisiana’s Health Department stopped promoting mass vaccination last month. This happened one month after the state’s first bird flu death.
The Trump administration also cut staff at key health agencies. The CDC and FDA were among those affected. Experts warn this weakens disease surveillance and pandemic response.
Paul Lawthorpe, director of the Vaccine Education Center, spoke to USA Today; he said public health agencies are “essentially dysfunctional” when they are needed most.
For now, officials give livestock workers the seasonal flu shot. Flu vaccines may prevent dual infections with bird flu and seasonal flu. These infections could cause gene-swapping, which may lead to human transmission.
The USDA will not immediately vaccinate poultry flocks. However, officials are planning and purchasing more doses.
In January, the Biden administration gave Moderna $590 million. The funding supports an mRNA vaccine for H5N1 in humans. The vaccine will match strains found in cows and birds.
Conclusion
The U.S. is taking steps to control the ongoing bird flu outbreak. Officials are stockpiling vaccines, but hesitancy and policy changes may slow efforts. Experts warn weakened public health agencies could make future outbreaks harder to contain.
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Logan Hamilton is a health and wellness freelance writer for hire. He’s passionate about crafting crystal-clear, captivating, and credible content that elevates brands and establishes trust. When not writing, Logan can be found hiking, sticking his nose in bizarre books, or playing drums in a local rock band. Find him at loganjameshamilton.com.
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