Countries all over the world have been facing the consequences of highly pathogenic avian influenza outbreaks in poultry or wild birds, particularly since H5N1 became widespread in Asia between the end of 2003 and early 2004. This session will provide regional summaries of the HPAI control experiences of countries in different regions in the world, including the considerations on the use of vaccination and other control strategies. A review of field experiences will be presented for the following regions: Europe, Russia and the Middle East, Asia, Africa and the Americas.

The vaccination of poultry against avian influenza tends to be reluctantly embarked upon due to the high and prolonged cost and for the fear of trade bans imposed on vaccinating countries. Only a limited number of countries have implemented vaccination programmes. There is little question that adequate vaccination will reduce shedding levels and thus the virus load in the environment. There is evidence that if managed properly, vaccination can be a valuable tool to maximise control efforts and directly and indirectly reduce the risk of human exposure.
Information on the cost-benefit analysis of vaccination is limited and not easily generated, given the vast plethora of input and output variables to be considered. This session will focus on the information available on field experiences with vaccination in the rural context of developing countries, as this impacts the livelihood of rural villages and contributes to the perpetuation of infection. This session will address the challenges and constraints that are faced by developing countries in implementing efficacious vaccination campaigns.

This session will address the practicalities of implementing a vaccination campaign on a large scale, and is focused on the vaccination of intensively reared poultry. The objective is to address aspects of general concern such as the world-wide availability of vaccines, vaccine banks and other factors that contribute to the decision making process, including biodiversity.
Based on information and data from practical experiences and scientific research on the use of vaccination, this session will give guidance to the decision making process for those concerned with the planning of vaccination campaigns. With the current spread of HPAI H5N1 in large parts of the world, more and more countries deciding to use vaccination as part of their control strategy. In this respect, the current availability of vaccines and the added value of vaccine banks will be discussed. Furthermore, the impact of HPAI outbreaks and the control measures and management on the poultry diversity will be addressed, including vaccination as a tool for poultry diversity preservation.

The overall aim of this session is to provide up-to-date information on the AI vaccine developments and efficacy. Research in the field of AI vaccinology has increased in the last few years and novel prototypes have been developed. In addition, information on the performance of vaccines in different avian species will be provided, together with information on DIVA (Differentiating Infected from Vaccinated Animals) strategies and their application.
Most vaccines used to date for AI have been inactivated whole AI virus antigen in an oil-based emulsion adjuvant. A live recombinant fowlpox with H5 AI gene insert has also been used in a few countries. There is both field and experimental evidence that AI vaccines can provide significant protection against AI or even lead to complete eradication. Less is known on the efficacy in other avian species than in domestic chickens. Several novel vaccines that have been developed or are currently under development for AI will also be discussed including food safety aspects. Furthermore, this topic will address what is done and should be done to improve the quality and efficacy of AI vaccines and vaccination. Since the DIVA approach is internationally recommended, specific attention will be given to the use of the Diva companion diagnostic test.

Understanding of regulatory aspects and trade implications related to vaccination against avian influenza is a prerequisite to the decision-making process. The objective of this session is to present and compare experiences on the regulatory bases that enable the correct application of a vaccination programme and the continuation of international trade.
In a situation where stamping out cannot be quickly achieved at country level and other control strategies must be considered, the use of vaccine should not imply automatic loss of export markets. Elements to define the status of an HPAI-free country or compartment within an infected country will be discussed. In addition, examples will be given of legal and regulatory frameworks enabling effective implementation of vaccination as part of a national control HPAI strategy, together with their implications.

This session highlights the importance of approaching AI control in a strategic and comprehensive manner, including in the development of the programme with the poultry industry and other stakeholders. This topic will focus on the practical aspects of authorities managing HPAI outbreaks in cooperation with the industry and other stakeholders. It will be based on experiences acquired in Indonesia and Viet Nam, which have both implemented a vaccination strategy. Both countries have a different political structure and are dealing with the avian influenza problem differently. Viet Nam has reduced the number of outbreaks significantly since vaccination was applied, while Indonesia is facing the highest number of human cases of H5N1 in the world. Indonesia has recently started a pilot vaccination strategy, with an integrated approach between the human health, the veterinary and the private sector, to improve the effectiveness of their vaccination campaign. In addition this section will address the issue of vaccination and compensation. Proper compensation schemes also require an integrated approach with the involvement of the public and private sectors.