France to order avian influenza vaccines
France has become the first member of the European Union to launch a tender for 80 million doses of avian influenza vaccines. According to Reuters, the order is intended to prepare for the launch of its vaccination program in the autumn. The move comes after the French health and safety agency ANSES endorsed the government's plan to vaccinate millions of poultry birds against avian influenza. Avian influenza, has caused the death of millions of birds around the world. However, due to potential trade curbs, governments have hesitated to roll out vaccination programs. France, which culled over 20 million birds last year and was the worst-affected EU country, aims to vaccinate ducks only.
Ducks are particularly susceptible to the virus and remain asymptomatic for several days, increasing the risk of transmission. The French agriculture ministry has mandated two companies, France's Ceva Animal Health and Germany's Boehringer Ingelheim, to develop avian influenza vaccines for ducks. ANSES recommended a range of vaccination strategies, including the vaccination of all breeding poultry birds, free-range turkeys and ducks, and all layer hens.
