Hope for game sector as bird flu vaccination under consideration

A major taskforce report, published on 24 July, has explored how gamebirds—particularly day-old chicks—could be vaccinated against avian influenza. The aim is to offer some protection to a sector severely disrupted by the disease.

Can vaccinating day-old gamebird chicks stop bird flu?

The report suggests vaccinating at the day-old chick stage could be feasible. However, there are significant challenges. These include the stress of handling birds during vaccination and the labour burden on hatcheries lacking automation. There is also no possibility of administering booster shots after release, making duration of immunity critical to success.

Dominic Boulton of the Game Farmers’ Association, who served on the taskforce, commented that the initiative “moves the sector much closer to the point where vaccination could play a role in protecting the game sector.”

How many bird flu outbreaks have hit the UK game sector?

Since the report’s release, four more cases were confirmed—bringing the UK’s total to 75 outbreaks since November.

The taskforce expects to issue a vaccination recommendation by summer 2026.

Did you like this article? Read more news from Shooting UK, or subscribe to Shooting Times & Country magazine.