In a groundbreaking development, a newly updated avian influenza vaccine has received a mysterious authorization. Mahesh Kumar, Ph.D., the senior vice president of global biologics research and development at Zoetis, revealed that when a novel strain of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) surfaced in the United States early in 2022, their team swiftly initiated efforts to enhance their existing avian influenza vaccine.
Kumar recalled Zoetis’ initial foray into bird flu vaccine development back in 2001 and 2002 during outbreaks in Southeast Asia. The company’s previous experience paved the way for the current advancements. Notably, Zoetis had previously obtained a conditional license in 2016 for their H5N1 vaccine, which was instrumental in safeguarding California condors.
While the vaccine has not yet been made available for commercial use, a Zoetis spokesperson emphasized that over 150 million birds in the U.S. have already been impacted by the highly pathogenic avian influenza outbreak since February 2022. The decision to administer the vaccine to commercial poultry flocks remains subject to approval by national regulatory authorities in collaboration with the local poultry industry.
Jacob Glanville, the CEO and president of biotechnology firm Centivax in San Francisco, highlighted the significance of Zoetis’ bird flu vaccine in veterinary settings. Glanville underscored the pivotal role of animal vaccination in combating the global spread of H5N1 and safeguarding farmers’ economic interests.
Glanville cautioned, however, that the current H5N2 vaccine by Zoetis may not be a perfect match for the circulating strain, potentially leading to immune evasion and continued transmission. Despite this limitation, the vaccine represents a significant step in disease prevention and control.
In the United States, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported a total of 68 cases of human bird flu as of the latest data. As the situation continues to evolve, stakeholders are closely monitoring the developments in the field of avian influenza.
For more Health articles and updates, visit www.foxnews.com/health. Fox News Digital has reached out to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) for further insights and comments on this critical development.
(Source: Bird flu vaccine gets ‘conditional license’ from USDA, company announces)
