Finance
Britain launches bird flu vaccine trials in turkeys
Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on March 5, 2026
2 min readLast updated: March 5, 2026
Quick Summary
Britain has launched a 24‑week field trial of authorized bird flu vaccines in turkeys to evaluate effectiveness and surveillance, marking a shift in its disease‑control strategy amid mounting costs and export concerns.
Britain Begins Bird Flu Vaccine Trials in Turkeys to Protect Poultry Industry
UK Launches Targeted Bird Flu Vaccine Trials
LONDON, March 5 (Reuters) - Britain has begun targeted bird flu vaccine trials in turkeys, the government said on Thursday, marking a shift in its approach to controlling the disease that has ravaged flocks and pushed some countries to adopt the technique to help reduce losses.
Impact of Bird Flu on Poultry Industry and Food Security
The spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza, commonly called bird flu, is a concern for governments and the poultry industry due to the devastation it can cause to flocks, its impact on food prices and a risk of a new pandemic.
Challenges with Vaccination Strategies
Concerns over vaccination masking the spread of the virus and jeopardising exports have led major poultry producers worldwide to largely resist the strategy.
Details of the UK Vaccine Trials
The UK trials, expected to span 24 weeks, aim to assess the effectiveness of authorized vaccines in field conditions and evaluate how surveillance mechanisms can protect trade, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) said in a statement.
Economic Impact of Bird Flu in Britain
Bird flu outbreaks have cost Britain's government and the poultry industry up to 174 million pounds ($232 million) per year, DEFRA said.
Why Turkeys Were Chosen for Trials
Turkeys were selected for the trials due to their high susceptibility to the virus, with outbreaks often causing significant mortality rates.
International Approaches to Bird Flu Vaccination
France's Nationwide Vaccination Policy
France has been vaccinating farm ducks against bird flu since 2023, making it the first major poultry exporter to do so nationwide. It has credited the policy with curbing the disease.
Other Countries' Vaccine Trials
The Netherlands and the United States are also running vaccine trials, with the U.S. assessing how any use of vaccination could affect poultry exports.
Reporting and Editing
(Reporting by Nigel Hunt and Sybille de La Hamaide, Editing by Louise Heavens)
Key Takeaways
- •Britain has begun its first field trial of HPAI vaccines in turkeys, lasting 24 weeks to assess vaccine efficacy under real‑world conditions and trade impact. (gov.uk)
- •Trials aim to better integrate vaccination into disease control—turkeys were chosen due to their high susceptibility, and the program follows a 2025 taskforce recommendation. (gov.uk)
- •France’s nationwide duck vaccination campaign since October 2023 has dramatically reduced HPAI outbreaks (by ~96–99%) and serves as a precedent, while the Netherlands is also running ongoing vaccine pilots. (wwwnc.cdc.gov)
References
Frequently Asked Questions about Britain launches bird flu vaccine trials in turkeys
1Why is Britain conducting bird flu vaccine trials in turkeys?
Britain is conducting bird flu vaccine trials in turkeys to assess vaccine effectiveness and explore new strategies for disease control and trade protection after significant industry losses.
2How long will the UK bird flu vaccine trials last?
The UK bird flu vaccine trials in turkeys are expected to span 24 weeks.
3Why were turkeys chosen for the bird flu vaccine trials?
Turkeys were chosen because they are highly susceptible to bird flu and outbreaks often cause significant mortality rates among flocks.
4How much has bird flu cost the UK government and poultry industry annually?
Bird flu outbreaks have cost Britain's government and poultry industry up to 174 million pounds ($232 million) per year.
5Which other countries are also trialing or vaccinating for bird flu?
France, the Netherlands, and the United States are also running bird flu vaccine trials or vaccinations, with France vaccinating farm ducks nationwide since 2023.
