Hope for game sector as bird flu vaccination under consideration

Gamebirds could be included in future bird flu vaccination programmes, offering protection from a disease that has “pulled apart” the industry.

A major taskforce report, published on 24 July, has examined how vaccination could work for gamebirds as part of broader poultry protection strategies. The report suggests vaccination at the day-old chick stage would be feasible, albeit not without its challenges.

The Game Farmers’ Association representative Dominic Boulton, who sits on the taskforce, said the work is moving the sector “much closer to the point where vaccination could play a role in protecting the game sector”.

However, he warned expectations must remain realistic. The report identifies major challenges, not least the additional stress of handling birds during vaccination and the substantial labour requirement this would cause for hatcheries without automated systems.

There is also the issue that once birds are released, no further booster shots are possible. “Duration of immunity is crucial to understanding the likely success of vaccinating gamebirds,” the report states.

Four more bird flu cases were confirmed in the week following the report’s publication, bringing the UK’s total to 75 since November, according to official figures.

Despite the hurdles, Mr Boulton said “anything that can offer some hope to game farmers and keepers is very welcome”. A recommendation is expected by summer 2026.

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