Netherlands Launches Pilot Vaccination Program to Combat Bird Flu in Poultry

In a bid to safeguard its position as one of the world’s largest egg exporters, the Netherlands has initiated a pilot program to vaccinate laying hens against bird flu. The program, announced by government officials on March 10, is being tested on a single commercial hen farm with the goal of expanding to a nationwide effort. This proactive measure follows successful field tests conducted last year that demonstrated the effectiveness of two vaccines against the highly pathogenic avian influenza virus.

Bird flu has devastated poultry farms globally, leading to the culling of hundreds of millions of birds and triggering a surge in egg prices. The virus not only affects the supply chain but also poses potential public health risks if it were to cross species barriers. By immunizing hens early in their life cycle—vaccinating chicks at hatcheries before they are moved to laying farms—the pilot aims to control the spread of the virus and stabilize the domestic market. Eggs from vaccinated birds will be sold exclusively within the Netherlands to avoid triggering export bans in trade markets.

The Dutch government is adopting a gradual rollout strategy to allow for necessary adjustments in veterinary infrastructure and to monitor the market response to products from vaccinated poultry. Agriculture Minister Femke Wiersma expressed optimism about the initiative, highlighting its potential to better control bird flu outbreaks and secure the nation’s crucial egg export industry. The pilot is set to run until early 2027, providing a critical period for gathering insights and refining the program for broader implementation.