CVB Notice 24-11: Veterinary Vaccines Targeting Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in Livestock

The detection of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in livestock continues to be a rapidly evolving situation and USDA is treating it seriously and with urgency, which why this week we issued Center for Veterinary Biologics (CVB) Notice 24-11: Veterinary Vaccines Targeting Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in Livestock through our website. This Notice provides an update to interested parties regarding veterinary biologics product licensure, including information for evaluation of efficacy, for veterinary biological products used to vaccinate livestock for Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) H5 clade 2.3.4.4b. This CVB Notice is the third (previous related notices are CVB Notice 24-06: Availability of Genetic Sequence and Isolate and CVB Notice 24-09: Notification of USDA request for Information for HPAI Vaccines for Use in Cattle) issued by USDA, in support of vaccine research and development. 

USDA is committed to using every tool in its toolbox to protect public health, the safety of the food supply, and the health and well-being of livestock. USDA believes vaccine research and development are vital to supporting these goals. In addition to research and development, USDA is conducting comprehensive epidemiological investigation and laboratory analysis to understand precisely how the H5N1 virus is transmitted so that farmers will understand how to prevent, detect, and control its spread. In parallel with USDA's regulatory licensure processes working with veterinary biologics manufacturers, USDA has committed $33.65 million of HPAI Commodity Credit Corporation funds to support Agricultural Research Service's vaccine research and development in cattle, turkeys, pigs, and goats. USDA is also making available, through Animal and Plant Health Inspection Services and that National Institute of Food and Agriculture, up to $10M for HPAI research opportunities, including but not limited to vaccine research, development, and evaluation.