In Omaha, Nebraska, there is growing interest in utilizing vaccines as a crucial tool to manage and control bird flu, with the ultimate goal of preventing the mass culling of millions of chickens. This issue has been a significant factor in driving egg prices to an average of nearly $6 per dozen. However, there has been hesitation in adopting this approach due to fears it might negatively affect the global export market for chickens, which is valued at billions of dollars annually.
Recently, the U.S. Department of Agriculture has set aside $100 million to finance research into bird flu vaccines. This initiative is part of a $1 billion project aimed at implementing enhanced measures to keep the virus off farms, a strategy believed to contribute to lowering egg prices. The meat chicken industry, in particular, has been wary of vaccines due to potential repercussions on meat exports, which generated nearly $4.7 billion last year. Conversely, egg and turkey producers, who predominantly serve the domestic market, have been more severely impacted by the virus.
The necessity for such a vaccine arises from the current protocol which involves eliminating every infected flock to curb the disease’s spread. This practice has led to the death of over 166 million birds in the U.S. since 2022, predominantly affecting egg-laying chickens, thereby pushing egg prices upward. Currently, the average cost per dozen eggs stands at $5.90, with even higher prices in certain regions.
Poultry veterinarian Simon Shane notes that governmental reluctance towards vaccines stems largely from the meat chicken sector’s resistance. According to Shane, this issue has gained more prominence because of the steep rise in egg prices, which have become a matter of political embarrassment.
The U.S. must navigate several challenges before implementing a bird flu vaccination program. According to John Clifford, a former USDA chief veterinary officer, devising a system to track outbreaks in asymptomatic vaccinated flocks is crucial. This system will also need to address potential trading issues with international partners.
There are concerns that vaccinating birds might allow the virus to survive undetected within flocks, possibly leading to mutations that could pose a greater risk to humans and permit infected birds to enter the food supply. While cooking chicken to the appropriate temperature will eliminate the virus, both industry and consumers prefer to avoid its presence altogether. Meat chickens, or broilers, are less affected due to their shorter lifespan as opposed to the longer-lived laying hens.
The complexity of administering vaccines poses another obstacle. Egg producers prefer methods such as incorporating the vaccine into feed or water rather than labor-intensive injections. Distinguishing between vaccinated versus infected birds also poses a hurdle for international trade.
Bird flu expert Dr. Carol Cardona highlights the financial considerations, questioning whether resources would be more wisely spent on depopulation efforts or monitoring vaccinated flocks. Some countries, like China and Mexico, have chosen to vaccinate poultry, though with differing strategies. While Mexico does not cull infected flocks, China continues to do so with favorable results in controlling the virus spread.
Despite these efforts, immediate relief for soaring egg prices is unlikely. The USDA has yet to implement a vaccination strategy, and the time required to raise new flocks adds to the delay. Current projections suggest that while some price relief might occur post-Easter if major farms can avoid new outbreaks, average egg prices for the upcoming year are expected to be 41% higher than the previous average of $3.17 per dozen.
