United States poultry flocks remain unvaccinated against H5 influenza-but why?

HPAI vaccination barriers in US poultry are primarily trade-related rather than biological or technical.

This article examines the paradox of unvaccinated US poultry flocks despite the global burden of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI). While vaccination is a standard disease mitigation strategy in poultry production, HPAI vaccination in the United States faces unique regulatory constraints. HPAI is classified as a foreign animal disease under federal jurisdiction, making vaccination decisions subject to national trade implications rather than individual farm risk assessment. The primary barrier to HPAI vaccine implementation is the potential negative impact on poultry export markets, which represents a significant economic consideration for the US poultry industry. The authors argue that despite these trade concerns, the escalating global HPAI epidemic necessitates a comprehensive cost-benefit analysis comparing ongoing outbreak losses against the economic consequences of vaccination. They advocate for reconsidering HPAI vaccination as part of an integrated disease control strategy, highlighting the need for policy reevaluation to balance international trade requirements with domestic disease prevention and animal welfare objectives in poultry production systems.

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