Avian influenza (bird flu): Vaccination technical working group - 21 June 2007
Stakeholder attendees |
Defra attendees |
Devolved administrations |
Apologies |
| Anna Bassett - Soil Association | Philip Reed | Debbie King SEERAD | Dan Parker - British Vet. Poultry Association |
| Bill Stanley - Aviagen (also representing British Poultry Council) | Graeme Cooke | Fiona Murdock DARDNI | Richard Sanders - Elm Farm Research Centre |
| Christine Ashton - British Waterfowl Association | Lorna Torkington |
Jackie Robinson DARDNI | Andrew Jones |
| Mark Williams - British Egg Industry Council | Myrtle O’Keefe | Tony Joss NAWAD | Ian Brown |
| Akeela Bashir | Richard Irvine VLA | Nancy Massie |
Introduction and apologies
- Graeme Cooke opened the meeting by introducing Phil Reed as the acting chair on behalf of Andrew Jones.
- Apologies were received from the people on the list above and introductions were carried out around the table and over the telephone.
Update on zoo vaccination and vaccine supply
- We now have a supply of 10 million doses of bivalent vaccine for use against H5/H7. Five million doses are kept in store in Milton Keynes, of which one million doses are held in smaller 40 dose bottles. A further five million doses are kept on a supply contract in Spain.
- In January, zoos were given permission to vaccinate their birds, subject to meeting certain eligibility criteria. Over 50 zoos have applied but so far only four zoos have actually started to vaccinate.
- Some countries’ import certification stated that no vaccination should take place in the exporting country. The decision to allow zoo vaccination therefore had some effect on trade with a limited number of countries but, following negotiations, revised certification has been agreed for most of the affected countries, although discussions are ongoing with Libya, Syria and Indonesia.
- Minutes and action points from previous meeting
Viral testing capacity at VLA
- The attached paper
(26 KB) on the VLA’s ramping up capacity was presented. This was based on the last four outbreaks of avian influenza.
Identification
- Research has been carried out into various different types of identification and coloured cable ties were presented as a cost-effective alternative to ringing.
- It was thought they would be more useful if they could be customised to stop the ties closing after a certain point.
- They would need to be uniquely coloured, and it was believed that they could be produced with a unique label which can only be read under ultra-violet light, as this was available for other applications.
- Attached paper (25 KB) was presented on identification used in other Member States.
Movement of vaccinated birds
- Attached paper (12 KB) was presented, summarising the current legislation on rules that would apply to the movement of vaccinated poultry. This paper was only indicative, as the real situation in which this would apply will much depend on the circumstances at the time.
- The term ‘veterinary inspection’ was left deliberately vague in order to retain flexibility.
- A question was raised as to whether there is a need to disinfect table eggs before movement, or whether this is required under the Directive.
Cost Paper
- The cost paper agreed at the previous meeting hasn’t been sent to Mark Williams.
Action 1: Phil to check AI Directive and Vaccination Regulations.
Action 2: Phil/Akeela to send cost paper to Mark Williams.
Draft vaccination delivery plan
- It was explained that Defra’s policy on vaccination remained unchanged but as part of our contingency planning we are committed to being fully prepared, which is why this draft vaccination plan has been produced.
- Although it has taken a while to get to this stage due to recent outbreaks and busy diaries, this has not had an effect on preparedness as a draft version of this plan has been ready since the beginning of the year.
- The advantage of the delay was that it has enabled lessons to be learned from vaccination programmes in other Member States.
- The aim was to produce a plan that is flexible in its application, adaptable to different circumstances and has a light touch.
- The plan is a draft document only at this stage and there are no plans to forward it to the Commission for approval in advance of a decision to vaccinate.
- The aim is for this plan (incorporating comments) to be presented to the wider stakeholder group at the next meeting on 6 July.
Issues raised in the plan
- Vaccine used In line with the data sheet, the primary vaccination will consist of two inoculations given 6 to 10 weeks apart with full protection two weeks after the second inoculation. This may have an effect on the free range status of birds who have been ordered to be housed or separated when the ‘12-week rule’ clock had started ticking. Ways of reducing this time period should be investigated.
- Bird groups targeted The plan currently only considers the vaccination of commercial free range poultry and non-commercial hobby flocks. However, in the interests of maintaining flexibility, the plan should make it clear that vaccination of other groups of birds should not be ruled out as there may be other groups that should be vaccinated.
- Identification of birds and premises Important that vaccination programme and movements should be recorded. Animal Health’s new recording system is in development but a template spreadsheet to record information has already been prepared. It was agreed that Defra’s role could be limited to specifying the type of identification. It is important to be flexible in planning for identifying individual birds - some producers may not want individual identification but it would help to reassure trading partners.
- Undertaking the vaccination It was agreed that the delivery procedure outlined in the plan is suitable.
- Movement restrictions The conditions for movement were agreed but, again, it is important to be flexible - difficult to say definitively in advance that vaccinated birds not being moved for slaughter would need pre- or post-movement PCR testing as there may be circumstances where this would not be applicable.
- Monitoring It is unlikely that serological monitoring would be used as experience from other Member States shows that it is very resource-intensive. Guidance on the use of sentinels needs to be prepared.
- Exit strategy Due to the trade implications of implementing a vaccination programme, it would be important to have a clear exit strategy.
Additional questions raised
- How would decision to vaccinate/allow vaccination be conveyed to stakeholders and other bird keepers?
- Will rare breeds be given priority over commercial bird keepers in terms of distributing vaccine?
- Within the PZ and SZ, will the costs of vaccine and surveillance be covered by Defra?
- Commercial poultry keepers may be prepared to pay for voluntary vaccination but stressed that in no way would commercial poultry keepers be prepared to pay for any of the costs associated with a compulsory vaccination campaign.
Action 1: Phil to speak to Intervet about effect of reducing time between first
and second inoculation.
Action 2: Phil to investigate points raised above and incorporate comments
before plan is presented to wider stakeholder group.
Request for information from economists
Lorna Torkington may contact group members individually to obtain information on their respective areas to gain a better understanding for Defra research.
- AOB
None
Defra
July 2006
Page last modified:
14 November, 2007