Intervet’s avian flu vaccine licensed for use in European Union
Published:September 26, 2006
Source :Intervet
Intervet, the world’s largest animal vaccine producer and a business unit of Akzo Nobel, has been granted an EU licence for its Nobilis Influenza H5N2 vaccine. As a result Europe now has a licensed vaccine to protect birds against the current H5N1 field strain particularly in autumn/winter, the period of greatest epidemiological risk for European bird populations. If embedded in national control programs, vaccination contributes substantially to controlling bird flu, preventing mortality and reducing the circulation of the virus in the bird population.
Intervet’s vaccine is based on a different strain (H5N2) than the current field strain (H5N1). Birds vaccinated with H5N2 form a different set of antibodies than those birds infected with H5N1. These antibodies can be monitored with certain diagnostic tests.
The vaccine based on H5N2 is one in a range of Avian influenza vaccines Intervet has available. The vaccines, containing inactivated virus, have to be injected in order to get full immune response. Intervet is investigating the possibilities for mass application avoiding injection. Research projects on a new vaccine type for mass application are in an early stage.
Since years Intervet has been working with various governments in different parts of the world to advise on outbreak control and management as well as vaccination strategies aimed at bringing the epidemic to a halt. Vaccination can play an important supporting role in controlling an outbreak and should be used alongside quarantining infected farms, eradication of infected or potentially exposed flocks and stringent sanitary measures.
The company’s Nobilis Influenza vaccine range has already been used very successfully namely in Hong Kong, Italy and Vietnam in official governmental avian flu control programs. In Europe it has been used especially for the protection of birds in zoos and in water fowl in France.
As the leading global company in animal vaccines, Intervet has accumulated a wealth of experience in the use of vaccines to deal with outbreaks of highly infectious diseases in all animal species.
The sale and supply of Nobilis Influenza vaccines in Europe is only permitted under strict guidelines set out by the European Community legislation on the control of avian
influenza. Use of the vaccine must be authorised by the competent authority of the EU Member States.
Intervet, a business unit of Akzo Nobel, based in Boxmeer, the Netherlands, with sales of EUR 1,094 million in 2005, is dedicated to research and development, production and marketing of innovative animal health products. Intervet's product range for use in livestock, companion animals, poultry and fish includes vaccines, antiparasitics, anti-infectives, endocrine products and other pharmaceutical specialties. Intervet operates globally with its own marketing organizations. The company currently employs around 5,000 people.
