Avian flu: “We can keep the same vaccine solution for several years”, reassures a scientist

“We can keep the same vaccine solution for several years”, reassured Friday, May 26 on franceinfo Jean-Luc Guérin, professor of avian pathology at the National Veterinary School of Toulouse and unit director of the National Research Institute for Agriculture, Food and the Environment. ANSES and the Ministry of Agriculture announced on Thursday 25 May that two vaccines tested in France have proved “very effective” to protect ducks from bird flu. The prospect of a national vaccination against the virus reassures breeders as the virus has started to spread again since the beginning of May in the South-West, contaminating more than 70 farms, in particular in the Gers. With these vaccines, “we already have locks that are lifted”but “now there is a whole series of regulatory issues” And “financial” in particular that he “must put to music”he warns.

There is talk of a vaccination in October when the virus is already spreading. Is it too late for this season?

Jean-Luc Guerin. It’s always too late. In the race between a virus and a vaccine solution is always complicated. We speak today primarily of ducks and not really of turkeys in first intention. What is the priority at the moment is to vaccinate the ducks as soon as possible. From a scientific point of view, the results of the trials that have been carried out between ANSES, the veterinary school and our partners are very positive. From a scientific point of view, we already have barriers that have been lifted. Now, there is a whole series of questions of a regulatory nature on the registration of vaccines, of a financial nature on the economic model of vaccination, on the vaccination scenario, on logistics. Of course, teams are needed to vaccinate. Surveillance teams are needed. All these elements must be put to music as quickly as possible.

Should the vaccine be updated every year according to the strains of the virus?

We are dealing with the same type of virus called Clade 2.3.4.4b. The same vaccine solution can be kept for several years. If it turned out that a completely different new virus appeared, the question would arise. But we are not in a configuration that requires constant updating as is the case for seasonal flu in humans.

After the vaccination of ducks, does this call into question organic-type labels, for example?

There are already checks that have been made. The probability of finding residues is zero. All the animals we eat are vaccinated against other diseases. There’s nothing new. All the animals we eat have been vaccinated and fortunately. Vaccines are progress solutions. This vaccination is nothing really exceptional. From a scientific and technical point of view, I don’t even understand the question.

Should basic precautions be kept despite vaccination?

The global base of biosecurity and surveillance will always be necessary. This is necessary in terms of reassurance vis-à-vis our international partners so that we can guarantee health control vis-à-vis avian influenza. For us to have the “right to vaccinate” without losing a certain number of markets for certain exporting companies, we must show that even if we vaccinate, we are doing everything else to avoid a silent circulation of the virus. And that’s what’s at stake, especially in terms of surveillance. This is an issue that is obviously very important and also, moreover, very heavy, very constraining for producers and very very costly. But it is absolutely essential.