The Netherlands has initiated a pilot project to sell eggs from chickens vaccinated against the bird flu virus. While trials of vaccinating chickens instead of culling infected birds were already underway, this is the first time that eggs from vaccinated chickens are being made available on the market.
The first vaccinated chicks are being immunized today, and it will take about twenty weeks before these hens start laying eggs. Consumers cannot differentiate these eggs by appearance; however, they are packaged separately to prevent mixing with eggs from unvaccinated chickens.
The project is limited to one unnamed company, making it more likely for consumers to purchase eggs from unvaccinated chickens. The Ministry of Agriculture, Nature, and Food Quality, along with other organizations, assures the safety of these eggs, as the vaccine has been approved by the European Medicines Agency.
Researchers continue to explore additional vaccines and the potential for international distribution. The pilot, set to run until early 2027, will assess the long-term efficacy of the vaccines.
Source: NOS