Bird flu vaccine to be rolled out to "priority" species

The Australian Government has announced the imminent rollout of a vaccine to protect some of Australia’s most vulnerable native birds from the H5 bird flu.

In a doorstop interview conducted on 11 August, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Julie Collins revealed that the government has been working since 2024 to prepare for the possible use of vaccinations to protect against bird flu; this has involved securing vaccines and undertaking trials and pilots to confirm their suitability for various species. With H5 bird flu now in Australia, Collins said the first vaccines will be rolled out in coming days and weeks, based on an agreed national approach to the targeted vaccination priority native bird species.

“This approach will mean that the states and territories are able to commence vaccination activities, initially focusing on priority species in captivity identified by those states and territories,” Collins explained. “The priority species will be identified based on vulnerability to the H5 bird flu and the potential conservation impact, informed as always by scientific advice.”

Collins stated that the government had secured $2 million worth of an H5 N2 inactivated vaccine that is registered for use in poultry globally, with Chief Veterinary Officer Dr Beth Cookson noting that the government is open to assessing further vaccine purchases based on availability and the needs of the states and territories. Cookson added that that no influenza vaccine is 100% protective, and that extends to these vaccines, but it will provide some benefit to vaccinated birds “in lowering the severity of the disease that they develop”.

Minister for the Environment and Water Murray Watt said the priority to vaccinate birds in captivity comes down to the fact that it takes two doses to vaccinate birds, and it is “difficult enough to catch wild birds once, let alone twice”. That said, the Victorian Government has revealed plans to vaccinate more than 5000 little penguins who live in the wild at Phillip Island and St Kilda. This is considered possible because little penguins usually return to the same colonies and burrows, providing a rare opportunity to vaccinate a wild population and monitor their response over time.

“We are privileged to have the opportunity to lead what is believed to be the world’s largest vaccination program involving wild birds, building knowledge that could help protect little penguins and strengthen wildlife disease preparedness both in Australia and internationally,” said Phillip Island Nature Parks CEO Catherine Basterfield.

There have been no detections of H5 bird flu in little penguins in Victoria to date. H5 bird flu continues to be detected in other wild birds at Phillip Island, alongside other locations in Victoria as well as South Australia, Western Australia, NSW and Queensland.

“We can’t stop H5 bird flu circulating in wild birds, but we can take practical steps to protect vulnerable species like our little penguins from its impacts,” said Victorian Minister for Environment Jaclyn Symes.

“Vaccination is one response measure, alongside strong biosecurity and surveillance, that can help manage the impact on our wildlife.”

Image credit: iStock.com/Vito_Elefante. Stock image used is for illustrative purposes only.