New, safe, large-scale avian flu vaccine for chickens

Researchers from the University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, the Central Veterinary Institute in Lelystad and Utrecht University have succeeded in developing a new, improved and safe vaccine for avian flu. The substance is suitable for vaccinating poultry on a large scale.

Safe

The new research has resulted in a vaccine that contains only dead virus particles and is thus safe for humans. The dead virus particles are built into an inulin matrix (inulin is an inert sugar) and the vaccine is produced in the form of a powder, which makes it extremely stable.

Inhaled

The aerosolized fine powder particles can be inhaled by the chickens. Unlike with classic flu vaccines, it is no longer necessary to inject each individual animal and mass application is thus possible. In a paper published last week in the renowned journal Vaccine, the researchers show that the vaccine protects chickens against avian flu (type H5N1) when it is administered via the airways.

Future

The new technology will make it possible in future to vaccinate chickens on a large scale, without any risk to safety, thus preventing a new outbreak of avian flu.

Note for the editors:

- Reference: Ben Peeters, Wouter F. Tonnis, Senthil Murugappan, Peter Rottier, Guus Koch, Henderik W. Frijlink, Anke Huckriede, Wouter L.J. Hinrichs. Pulmonary immunization of chickens using non-adjuvanted spray-freeze dried whole inactivated virus vaccine completely protects against highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza virus; Vaccine, Volume 32, Issue 48, 12 November 2014, Pages 6445-6450

- Further information: Prof. Erik Frijlink

Electron Microscope picture of the vaccin