Poultry producers now have an extended option for safeguarding their laying hens against salmonella, thanks to recent approval for the AviPro Salmonella Duo vaccine.
Pharmaceutical company Elanco announced the approval last week. According to Elanco poultry veterinarian Joost Boerrigter, “We have received approval for a vaccination schedule during lay for our AviPro Salmonella Duo vaccine. Thanks to this approval, our vaccine offers more flexibility to help poultry producers better protect their flocks with a four-dose vaccination plan. This update is entirely focused on providing long-lasting immunity to laying hens.”
The vaccine has been utilized for 15 years to protect poultry against Salmonella Enteritidis (SE) and Salmonella Typhimurium (ST). As laying hen producers increasingly maintain their flocks for longer periods, Elanco has responded with this updated approach. Controlling salmonella is critical for both poultry health and food safety.
The recent schedule incorporates a fourth dose administered during the laying period, around the 50th week of life. Boerrigter explained that this addition significantly extends the flock’s immunity:
- Protection against S. Enteritidis: Extended to an age of 100 weeks (50 weeks after the last vaccination).
- Protection against S. Typhimurium: Extended to an age of 94 weeks (44 weeks after the last vaccination).
Zero-Day Withdrawal Period
A key benefit of this approval is the zero-day withdrawal period following the fourth vaccination. Poultry producers can administer the fourth dose without any interruption to the supply chain, as there is no required waiting period for eggs or meat from spent hens after the fourth administration. This streamlined process supports efficient poultry production.
The AviPro Salmonella Duo vaccine contains live, attenuated strains of S. Enteritidis and S. Typhimurium, offering direct protection against these regulated Salmonella strains in layers, according to Elanco. Research published in PubMed demonstrates successful vaccine uptake when layer pullets are vaccinated as early as one day of age, using a drinking water administration method.
The vaccine is a lyophilisate for suspension, containing 600,000,000 colony forming units of each strain per dose, as detailed in the European Medicines Agency database. The findings could help optimize vaccination strategies and reduce the risk of salmonella outbreaks in poultry operations.
