Global Veterinary Bodies Adopted Avian Influenza Vaccines
International organizations expanded vaccination strategies in 2025 to curb the spread of high pathogenicity avian influenza.
Updated on Oct. 5, 2026 in Veterinary Medicine
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In 2025, veterinary authorities worldwide accelerated the implementation of HPAI vaccination frameworks as an alternative to mass culling. This shift follows the release of a 2024-2033 global control strategy by the Food and Agriculture Organization and the World Organization for Animal Health.
Why it matters
Recent outbreaks demonstrated the significant limitations of relying exclusively on biosecurity and culling to control viral transmission in poultry. Adopting vaccines provides a new layer of protection for global food supplies against the H5N1 virus.
Inactivated vaccines dominate the HPAI vaccine market with a 95.5% share, while vector vaccines account for the remaining 4.5%. Application protocols include in ovo, subcutaneous, and intramuscular injection methods.
The players
Food and Agriculture Organization
This United Nations agency leads international efforts to defeat hunger and improve food security through agricultural development.
World Organization for Animal Health
This intergovernmental organization is responsible for improving animal health and welfare standards worldwide.
United Egg Producers
This farmer-owned cooperative represents the interests of U.S. egg farmers on food safety and animal welfare issues.
National Turkey Federation
This trade association advocates for the interests of the U.S. turkey industry regarding government policies and disease control.
United States Department of Agriculture
This federal executive department develops and executes policies on farming, agriculture, and food safety.
The details
Nations including the Philippines and South Africa have approved vaccination, while France and the Netherlands completed localized trials for ducks and hens. The current approach utilizes the DIVA strategy, which allows for the differentiation of infected birds from vaccinated ones to maintain surveillance capabilities.
Timeline
H5N1 detection in South America began in late 2022.
The FAO and WOAH global HPAI control strategy spans 2024-2033.
The expanded use of HPAI vaccination was emphasized in 2025.
The FAO Tackling HPAI Together meeting occurred in September 2025.
Culture Shift
The transition toward vaccination represents a fundamental move away from the historical reliance on mass culling as the primary response to poultry disease. This evolution reflects a growing global recognition that traditional biosecurity measures alone are insufficient for modern viral outbreaks.
The adoption of these vaccination frameworks may influence future supply chains for poultry products by stabilizing production levels. Consumers may see fewer volatility-driven price spikes in egg and turkey products as producers move toward disease-resistant flocks.
The takeaway
The move toward vaccination marks a shift in how the poultry industry manages large-scale viral risks. Producers are increasingly turning to advanced surveillance strategies like DIVA to manage flock health without resorting to total population culling.
Further reading
Learn more about the latest developments in animal care and disease prevention on our Veterinary Medicine page.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Thepoultrysite.
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