16 May 2026
The Dutch Cabinet is advancing a strategic plan to implement mandatory vaccination for laying hens to structurally combat avian influenza. This decision follows a severe period for the poultry sector, which has seen 51 infected locations and the culling of over 2.25 million birds since October 2025.
The policy shift is supported by promising results from field trials conducted by Wageningen Bioveterinary Research (WBVR). Key findings from the transmission studies include:
-Mortality Reduction: While non-vaccinated control groups experienced 100% mortality when challenged with the H5N1 virus, mortality dropped to 10% for hens with a single vaccination and 0% for those receiving a booster.
- Clinical Protection: Vaccinated groups showed no clinical signs of the disease.
- Viral Shedding: All vaccinated groups demonstrated a significant reduction in the amount of excreted virus compared to control groups.
- Transmission Dynamics: Vaccination, combined with intensive monitoring, is expected to help prevent future large-scale outbreaks.
To address potential economic impacts, a vaccination pilot was launched in March 2025 to monitor international trade reactions. To date, eggs from vaccinated chickens have been sold successfully on the Dutch market without arising trade barriers. Furthermore, the Netherlands has initiated an international working group, including the United States, Canada, France, the United Kingdom, and the European Commission, to coordinate the global acceptance of products from vaccinated poultry.
It is better to reach the destination at sunset than not to reach it at all.
The vaccine trial reports are attached below:
*VAXXITEK HVT+IBD+H5
*VECTORMUNE AI
