the essential
Vaccines to combat avian flu are made available to French breeders. The second vaccination campaign began on October 1: it is obligatory on farms with more than 250 ducks.
This is undoubtedly the lesson that was learned during the Covid-19 pandemic: for each virus, its vaccine. On the avian flu front, there is no question of a “pandemic” yet, but the serums are already put away in the cupboard: “We now have a vaccine against H5N1 flu in humans”, assures epidemiologist Antoine Flahault.
On the animal side, there is also a vaccine, recommended by the World Health Organization and already administered by French, Chinese, South African or Mexican breeders… but refused by the American administration. It is therefore impossible to hinder the viral circulation currently observed in cattle in the United States.
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In France, the State will therefore put its hand in its pocket, announcing that it would remain the main financier of the second vaccination campaign for ducks against avian flu after 2024: “The State is launching the order for the necessary vaccine doses to cover the entire vaccination campaign, i.e. until September 30, 2025”, indicated the Ministry of Agriculture in a press release.
In detail, 70% of the costs generated by this campaign – obligatory on farms with at least 250 ducks – will be covered by public authorities. The rest will be the responsibility of the breeders.
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In 2023, the State contributed 85% of vaccination costs. The announcement therefore did not fail to arouse the discontent of many breeders, particularly in the Gers. “It’s a national shame,” protested the Gers Rural Coordination in a press release published last Monday, December 16. “The State has just added unfair internal competition to France. Certain areas are now subject to a third (dose) unlike others which are only two doses”, deplored for his part Lionel Candelon, at the head of the agricultural union.
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