Listen to this article

US Delays Bird Flu Vaccines for Poultry Despite $100M Study, Citing Export Concerns and 166M Bird Deaths

35 posts • Grok (Beta)

Updated Mar 13, 2025, 09:46 PM

Vaccines could be a crucial tool in suppressing bird flu and preventing the slaughter of millions of egg-laying chickens, which has contributed to egg prices averaging nearly $6 a dozen. However, the U.S. has been hesitant to implement a vaccination program due to concerns that it could jeopardize chicken exports worth billions of dollars annually. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced plans to invest $100 million in studying bird flu vaccines in collaboration with meat chicken, egg, and turkey groups. This initiative is part of a broader $1 billion effort to enhance protections against the virus on farms, which President Donald Trump believes will help reduce egg prices. Chicken meat producers, particularly resistant to vaccines, fear that vaccination could harm their exports, which amounted to nearly $4.7 billion last year. In contrast, egg and turkey producers, who primarily sell within the U.S., have been more severely impacted by the virus. Without a new policy incorporating vaccines, the government will continue its current practice of culling entire flocks infected with bird flu, a strategy that has led to the death of over 166 million birds in the U.S. since 2022. Poultry veterinarian Simon Shane and John Clifford, the USDA's former chief veterinary officer, have highlighted the political and logistical challenges of implementing a vaccination program. For meat chickens, known as broilers, the virus is less significant as they are slaughtered at a younger age and are primarily raised in the Southeast, which has seen fewer outbreaks compared to the Midwest and West. Egg farmers are seeking practical methods like administering vaccines through feed or water, as giving shots to millions of birds in a single barn is not feasible. Experiences from other countries like China and Mexico, which have been vaccinating poultry for years, show different approaches to managing the virus. It may take up to 20 weeks to raise new hens, and prices may ease after peak demand around Easter if major egg-producing states like California, Iowa, and Ohio can avoid further outbreaks.

More breaking stories on DeepNewz — updated live.

#USDA #Donald Trump #Simon Shane #John Clifford #Southeast #Midwest #West #China #Mexico #Easter #California #Iowa #Ohio

Will Trump increase tariffs on Mexico before May?

Will Trump remove tariff on China before May?

Will Trump remove tariff on Mexico before May?

•

View market suggestions→

Sources

nbcwashington.com(2)kxan.com wjla.com fox35orlando.com

KXAN News

@KXAN_News

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has announced plans to spend $100 million to study bird flu vaccines to fight the disease. https://t.co/KinbHimk85

7News DC

@7NewsDC

Vaccines could be a key to suppressing the bird flu and lowering egg prices, but some U.S. officials are hesitant. https://t.co/aydKdZSmC7

FOX 35 Orlando

@fox35orlando

Vaccines could be a way to suppress bird flu in the U.S. and avoid the slaughter of millions of chickens amid the rising price of eggs. But there are some concerns, too. Here's what to know: https://t.co/mEUvptAkSK