06 August 2026
On August 4, 2026, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) officially launched a confined field trial to evaluate the feasibility, effectiveness, and operational dynamics of poultry vaccination against Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI). The trial is taking place across two commercial poultry farms in Manitoba. The initial phase commenced on August 3, 2026, within an egg-laying operation, with a turkey operation scheduled to join the trial in 2027. The study aims to evaluate real-world vaccine efficacy and immune responses, identify practical and logistical considerations for commercial administration, and determine the structural requirements necessary for a potential future national vaccination framework. The vaccines selected for the trial have undergone CFIA’s standard scientific review process, meeting strict Canadian benchmarks for safety, quality, and food safety. Eggs and poultry products derived from vaccinated flocks are confirmed safe for consumption and will enter the domestic market; however, they will be excluded from export channels in compliance with international trade protocols. The CFIA emphasized that this trial serves as an exploratory scientific assessment to inform future policy.
