PARSIPPANY, NJ. — The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) issued a conditional license for an avian influenza vaccine as outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in poultry flocks continue throughout the United States.

Zoetis, an animal health company, confirmed that the conditional vaccine was approved on Feb. 14.

“When a new strain of HPAI was identified in the US in early 2022, our scientists immediately began work to update our previous avian influenza vaccine,” said Mahesh Kumar, PhD, senior vice president, global biologics research and development at Zoetis. “We first worked on HPAI vaccines in 2001-02 when outbreaks occurred in flocks in Southeast Asia. Our readiness with this most recent vaccine is another example of how we continue to live our purpose to nurture the world and humankind by advancing care for animals, ultimately providing solutions to global animal health challenges.”

Even with the announcement for the conditional approval of the vaccine, the USDA and other national regulatory authorities have to issue a final approval before it can move throughout the country.

The company added that it received a conditional license for its H5N1 vaccine in 2016 and a contract award for the USDA’s National Veterinary Stockpile. That same vaccine was previously approved and used by the US Fish & Wildlife Service in 2023 to protect the California condor.

In the last week, several agriculture groups presented varied opinions on the national vaccine strategies.

The National Turkey Federation (NTF), United Egg Producers, the International Dairy Foods Association, and the National Milk Producers Federation wrote a letter to new Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins showing their support for the HPAI vaccine development plan.

“NTF supports the development of a vaccine strategy for highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) that includes the identification of an effective HPAI vaccine but recognizes the significant trade and logistical challenges that must be addressed before implementation,” NTF said. “Renegotiation of international trade standards, developing reliable surveillance methods, and overcoming logistical hurdles for vaccination should be a top priority. NTF is actively working with USDA, industry stakeholders, and trade partners to explore solutions that allow for disease prevention while safeguarding US poultry exports.”

However, the National Chicken Council (NCC) and co-chairs of the Congressional and Senate Chicken Caucuses wrote a separate letter raising trade concerns with vaccinating flocks in the United States.

“We strongly agree that as the administration contemplates an HPAI strategy, any such action be predicated with robust trade protections for America’s broiler producers,” said Harrison Kircher, president of the NCC. “The potential export losses that are likely to occur as a result of vaccination would have a devastating impact on thousands of family farmers who raise the birds. The industry least affected by bird flu stands the most to lose here. We support the Trump Administration and their goals to bring down food inflation, cut regulatory red tape, and increase our global competitiveness. We stand ready to work with the Administration and Secretary Rollins.”